Between 2018 and 2023, Stonewater employed the two men to work on the grounds at various sites near Tanyard Farm inCoventry.

This required both men to extensively use machinery such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, strimmers and hedge cutters which left them exposed to vibration. One of the men estimated he used this equipment for 90% of his working day.

Both were diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) in July 2023 as the vibration exposure led to painful and disabling disorders of the nerves, bloody supply, joints and muscles in hands and arms.

One of the men, aged 60, said he no longer has fine motor skills as a result and can no longer pick up his grandchildren.

An HSE investigation found Stonewater failed to undertake a risk assessment in relation to vibration, or provide training and information to employees around these risks.

The housing association pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £140,000 at Birmingham Magistrates Courts.

Stonewater was also ordered to pay costs of £3,742.

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“This is a tragic case and the fine imposed on Stonewater Limited underlines that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to follow health and safety regulations extremely seriously,” said Charles Rowe, lead HSE inspector.

“HAVS is a serious and disabling health condition and we will not hesitate to take action against employers that fall below the required standard.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyers Julian White and Edward Parton, supported by paralegal officer Rebecca Forman.

Sarah Stevenson-Jones, director of building safety and compliance at Stonewater, responded: “Stonewater is committed to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of every employee, customer, stakeholder and supply chain partner.

“We respect the thoroughness, transparency and even-handedness of the HSE enquiry and are committed to making sure it adds to our learning.

“We will continue to implement stringent health and safety controls and aim for the highest standards to ensure no such instance is repeated in future.”