HSE prosecutes Cornish health screening company following failure in its duty to workers
AUDIO Medical Services Ltd (AMS) of Liskeard, Cornwall, have been prosecuted after using unqualified staff to screen the health of workers from dozens of other organizations, including several quarry companies.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, AMS carried out tests inadequately for 59 companies over a period of at least four years across the UK.
The HSE said the company failed to provide employers with information to prevent workers’ health deteriorating and did not refer employees to occupational health professionals when required.
The prosecution case related to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) caused by regular use of hand-held power tools or holding materials processed by machinery, symptoms of which include pain, numbness and tingling in the fingers, and a reduced sense of touch which can be disabling.
HAVS is also characterized by finger blanching, commonly known as ‘vibration white finger’, a condition that can be prevented, but once developed cannot be cured.
Bodmin Magistrates’ Court heard that staff employed by AMS to carry out tests, including managing director Nick Nickson, did not have occupational health training and had not received the relevant training to perform screening for HAVS.
The issue came to light after a company identified anomalies with the screening performed by AMS. The HSE then contacted other companies who employed the services of AMS and visited a range of firms in the quarrying, civil engineering, rail and ship-building industries.
The investigation found that numerous employees at these companies had not been suitably referred to an occupational health provider and, therefore, continued to be exposed to vibration at work, putting them at risk of further deterioration and permanent damage.
‘The failures of AMS were totally unacceptable,’ said HSE Inspector Georgina Speake.
‘Companies using AMS thought they were doing the right thing by providing screening for their employees. AMS’s negligent behaviour means a significant number of workers have been put at risk of worsening their conditions by continuing with their normal work practices when they should have stopped.’
‘Around two million people are at risk of this painful and debilitating condition in the UK and although preventable, once the damage is done it is permanent, there simply is no treatment. Proper health surveillance is vital to detect and respond to early signs of damage.’
Audio Medical Services Ltd pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They were fined £3,200 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000. Mr Nickson pleaded guilty to the same offence and was fined £700.
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