Leeds company fined five-figure sum after breaching guidelines which put workers at risk of cancer

Employees at Calderys UK Ltd were left suffering with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and exposed to a carcinogenic substance due to a lack of health and safety measures in place at the Gildersome-based firm.

The diagnoses in 2017 led to an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which found Calderys had not put any measures in to protect employees from the harmful vibrations from pneumatic tools.

These failings had been ongoing since as early as 2006, according to inspectors.

It was also found in the investigation that no measures were in place to control workers' exposure to respirable crystalline silica, which when entering the lungs can be harmful and even lead to diseases such as cancer over time.

Calderys UK Ltd. pleaded guilty to breaching regulations 6(1) and 7(1) of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

The company also pleaded guilty to breaching regulations 7(1) and 11(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

Calderys was fined £60,000 with £4,864 costs.

Following the hearing last week, HSE inspector Julian Franklin said: "Exposure to vibration can cause HAVS, a loss of nerve function, strength and dexterity in the fingers which is permanent and untreatable while exposure to silica can cause silicosis, leading to impaired lung function, lung cancer and death.

"It can also lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)."

Mr Franklin added: "Companies should know HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those failing to protect their workers."