Truro garage fined £204,000 over health and safety breaches

Rowes Garage has been fined over £200,000 after two employees at its Truro bodyshop were diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), following prolonged use of vibrating tools without adequate safety measures.

The workers, both employed at the time at the Devon and Cornwall-based retailer’s accident repair centre, were regularly using tools such as random-orbital sanders and reciprocating saws, without sufficient controls in place to monitor or reduce exposure.

One employee, who has suffered from symptoms for around eight years, described ongoing difficulties: “My fingers would go white and I’d lose feeling, especially in cold or damp weather.

"The symptoms have worsened, and I now struggle to pick up small items.”

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Rowes Garage had failed to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments and did not implement appropriate controls, despite the likelihood of staff exceeding the recommended exposure limits.

Employees had not been properly informed or trained on the risks, and symptoms reported over several years were not acted upon adequately by the company.

The business was acquired by Vertu Motors in November 2023, while the employees had been diagnosed with HAVS before the acquisition in November 2022.

Plymouth Magistrates’ Court imposed a £204,000 fine, along with costs of £8,099.

HSE inspector Emma O’Hara said: “Rowes Garage had been exposing employees to the risks arising from the use of vibrating tools for a significant period of time.

"They fell below the standards expected, which is reflected in the fine imposed.”

She added that HAVS is a serious, life-altering condition and emphasised that the HSE will act where employers fail to meet their responsibilities.