HSE Fine Highlights Risks of Vibration Exposure in the Workplace
A UK engineering company has been fined after several workers developed serious health conditions linked to prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration, highlighting the ongoing risks of poor vibration management.
Drury Engineering Services Ltd, based in Immingham, was prosecuted following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation which found multiple failings in how vibration risks were controlled.
What Happened?
The HSE launched an investigation in June 2024 after reports that employees were suffering from vibration-related illnesses. The number of affected workers later rose to seven.
The investigation identified that the company had failed to properly manage the risks associated with vibrating tools and equipment — exposing workers to preventable harm.
Key failings included:
Lack of suitable and sufficient vibration risk assessments
Failure to adequately control exposure to hand-arm vibration
No effective health surveillance programme in place
Insufficient training and awareness for employees
An Improvement Notice was issued during the investigation, requiring the company to take corrective action.
The Health Impact: HAVS
Affected workers reported symptoms consistent with Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), including:
Numbness and tingling in the fingers
Reduced grip strength
Pain and discomfort in hands and arms
Difficulty carrying out everyday tasks
HAVS is a serious and often irreversible condition, making early intervention and prevention critical.
Outcome
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
At Grimsby Magistrates’ Court in February 2026, Drury Engineering Services Ltd was:
Fined £44,000
Ordered to pay over £8,000 in costs
What This Means for Your Business
This case is a clear reminder that vibration risk (HAVS) remains a key enforcement priority for the HSE.
If your employees use powered hand tools or machinery, you must ensure vibration risks are effectively managed. Failure to do so can lead to:
Long-term, irreversible harm to workers
Lost productivity and increased absence
Enforcement action, fines, and reputational damage
How to Stay Compliant
To protect your workforce and remain compliant with UK health and safety law, employers should:
1. Assess vibration risks
Identify tasks involving vibrating equipment and calculate exposure levels.
2. Reduce exposure
Use lower vibration tools, limit trigger times, and rotate tasks where possible.
3. Implement health surveillance
Introduce regular HAVS screening for at-risk employees.
4. Train your workforce
Ensure employees understand the risks, symptoms, and safe use of equipment.
5. Maintain equipment properly
Poorly maintained tools can significantly increase vibration exposure.
Need Support Managing HAVS Risk?
At Safety360, we help organisations identify, assess, and control workplace risks — including vibration exposure and HAVS compliance.
If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting its obligations, get in touch with our team for expert guidance.