UPDATE: Nottingham City Homes, a housing provider owned by Nottingham City Council, has been fined £32,000 following alarming reports of health issues among its workers. This urgent development comes after multiple employees were diagnosed with serious vibration-related health conditions, including Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation after receiving over ten reports of vibration-related ill-health from staff in a short timeframe. The company, which managed the council’s social housing from 2005 until 2023, faced scrutiny for failing to protect its employees adequately.
Workers across various roles—bricklayers, joiners, electricians, plasterers, and caretakers—were found to be regularly exposed to harmful vibrations from power tools such as drills and road breakers. These conditions can lead to debilitating symptoms, including pain, tingling, numbness, and loss of strength, impacting everyday tasks and quality of life.
The investigation revealed that Nottingham City Homes did not conduct proper assessments of the risks associated with vibration exposure. Moreover, necessary control measures, such as limiting exposure times or substituting lower-vibration tools, were not implemented. The company also lacked adequate tool maintenance and health surveillance protocols, and employees had not received sufficient training regarding the risks they faced.
On November 3, 2023, Nottingham City Homes pleaded guilty to breaching safety guidelines under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition to the £32,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay £6,226 in costs at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
Tim Nicholson, an HSE inspector, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Nottingham City Homes Limited exposed its employees to vibration through the use of power tools for a long period of time. The company failed to properly manage this risk, which led to employees suffering ill-health—the effects of exposure to vibration can be debilitating and, once damage is done, it is irreversible.”
This incident raises significant concerns about workplace safety and employee health, especially in industries where vibration exposure is prevalent. The company, now fully folded back into Nottingham City Council, must take immediate action to ensure the safety of its workforce moving forward.
As this situation develops, it is crucial for other organizations to reevaluate their safety measures to prevent similar health crises. The implications of this case reach far beyond Nottingham, highlighting the need for rigorous adherence to safety protocols in workplaces across various sectors.
