A metal fabrication company based at Immingham Docks, North East Lincolnshire, has been fined after seven employees developed vibration-related health conditions linked to their work.
Drury Engineering Services pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £44,000. The company was also ordered to pay £8,061.70 in costs at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on 26 February 2026.
The Health and Safety Executive became aware in June 2024 of three reports of vibration-related illness among the company’s employees. An investigation was launched and an Improvement Notice was served requiring the business to control the ongoing risk.
Failure to Reduce Exposure
The notice was issued after the regulator identified that the company had failed to reduce employees’ exposure to vibration to as low a level as reasonably practicable through organisational and technical measures.
During the course of the investigation, inspectors identified a further three employees who met the threshold for reporting vibration-related illness. A seventh report was later submitted by the company.
Affected employees reported symptoms consistent with hand arm vibration syndrome, including nerve damage, loss of grip strength and finger blanching. Workers told inspectors that the condition was affecting their daily lives. Some experienced finger blanching while carrying out routine household tasks such as mowing the lawn. Others reported being kept awake at night due to numbness in their hands, while some described difficulty gripping objects and ongoing nerve damage.
Safety Shortcomings
Drury Engineering Services has operated at Immingham Docks since 2000. A new health and safety manager was appointed in June 2022 and began work to address shortcomings in the company’s vibration management system. However, by that stage employees had already been significantly exposed to vibration risks.
The HSE investigation found that the company had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks arising from vibration exposure. It had also failed to implement appropriate organisational and technical measures to minimise exposure, place employees exposed to significant levels of vibration under a suitable health surveillance programme, or provide adequate information, instruction and training.
The regulator provides detailed guidance on managing vibration risks in the workplace, including requirements to assess exposure and introduce effective control measures.
HSE Principal Inspector Chris Tilley said: ““Today’s fine should send a clear message that both HSE and the courts take seriously the failure to manage employees’ exposure to vibration. HSE will not hesitate to take action against companies that do not do all they should to keep people healthy and safe.”
