New campaign highlights how employers can prevent permanent hearing loss, tinnitus and hand-arm vibration syndrome through effective workplace action 

• Around 15,000 workers develop hearing problems caused or made worse by work every year, with an estimated one in five exposed to harmful noise levels. 

• HSE launches a new campaign during Bone and Joint Health Week, building on its work to reduce HAVS, including the Prevention Programme’s HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge. 

• Campaign promotes a simple three-step approach – Assess. Control. Protect. – to help employers prevent permanent, life-changing ill health. 

Around 15,000 workers develop hearing problems caused or made worse by work every year, while an estimated one in five workers is exposed to harmful levels of noise at work. 

The effects can be permanent, with workers often unaware they are being harmed until symptoms begin to appear, by which time some damage may already be irreversible. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is today launching a new campaign urging employers to assess workplace noise and vibration risks, reduce exposure and protect workers from preventable ill health. 

Launched during Bone and Joint Health Week, and building on HSE’s wider work to reduce Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), including the Prevention Programme’s HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge, the campaign highlights the importance of taking action before workers’ health is affected. 

Noise and vibration are common workplace hazards across sectors including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, utilities, waste management, engineering, maintenance and entertainment and events. Exposure often comes from tools, machinery and equipment used every day. 

Prolonged or excessive exposure to noise can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Hand-arm vibration can lead to HAVS and carpal tunnel syndrome, causing numbness, tingling, pain and reduced grip strength. These conditions can affect workers’ ability to do their jobs and carry out everyday activities, sometimes for the rest of their lives. 

Hearing loss can make it difficult to follow conversations with family and friends, while tinnitus can cause persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, affecting concentration and sleep. For those living with HAVS, everyday tasks such as fastening buttons, holding a cup or using tools can become difficult. 

Chris Steel, Principal Specialist Inspector (Noise and Vibration), said: 

“Noise and vibration-related ill health is preventable, but the consequences can last a lifetime. 

“Workers may not realise they’re being harmed until their hearing is affected, or they begin to experience pain, numbness or tingling in their hands and arms. 

“Employers shouldn’t wait for symptoms to appear. They need to identify where workers are at risk, reduce exposure and make sure the right controls are in place. 

“We’ve already seen organisations demonstrate their commitment to tackling vibration risks through the HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge. This campaign helps employers turn that commitment into practical action. 

“Taking action early can protect workers’ health and prevent conditions that can affect their lives for years to come.” 

Employers have legal duties to assess and control workplace noise and vibration risks under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. 

HSE’s campaign encourages employers to follow three simple steps: 

Assess 

Identify who may be exposed to noise and vibration, understand the risks and carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments. 

Control 

Reduce exposure at source by choosing quieter or lower-vibration equipment, maintaining tools and machinery, introducing engineering controls and adopting safer ways of working. 

Protect 

Where risks remain, provide suitable hearing protection, arrange health surveillance where required, and give workers the information, instruction and training they need to protect themselves. 

The campaign provides practical tools, guidance and resources to help employers assess workplace risks, put effective controls in place and prevent life-changing occupational ill health. 

The campaign complements HSE’s Prevention Programme to reduce vibration-related ill health, including the HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge. The pledge encourages organisations to commit to reducing vibration-related ill health through effective risk management, worker involvement and long-term prevention. Employers can find out more and sign the pledge at https://www.councilforworkandhealth.org.uk/news/havs-risk-reduction-pledge-get-involved-and-sign-the-pledge/ 

For advice and practical resources, visit HSE’s Noise and Vibration campaign website.

Further information:

1. Around 15,000 workers experience hearing problems caused or made worse by work each year. 
2. HSE estimates that around one in five workers is exposed to harmful levels of noise at work. 
3. Exposure to excessive workplace noise can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. 
4. Hand-arm vibration can cause Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome. 
5. Workers may be exposed to noise and vibration in sectors including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, utilities, waste management, engineering, maintenance and entertainment and events. 
6. Employers have legal duties under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 to assess and control risks. 
7. HSE’s campaign promotes a simple approach: Assess. Control. Protect. 
8. The campaign supports HSE’s Prevention Programme to reduce vibration-related ill health, including the HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge. 
9. Campaign resources are available through HSE’s Work Right campaign: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/noise-and-vibration/  
10. For interview requests, case studies or further information, contact the HSE Press Office at media.enquiries@hse.gov.uk.  

• Adam Evans was landlord of property and failed to get safety checks on gas boiler for eight years
• His tenant was a woman who lived in the property with her five children
• Annual gas safety checks are a legal duty

A landlord has been sentenced after failing to ensure gas safety checks were carried out at a rented property in Wirral.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that property owner Adam Evans failed to have annual safety checks carried out for a period of eight years. The house, on Salisbury Drive in New Ferry, was occupied by a tenant who lived with her five children.

HSE began its investigation in October 2024 after receiving a concern from Wirral Borough Council. The woman had lived at the property since 2016 and reported that no annual gas safety checks had been carried out during her tenancy.

Following enquiries, HSE requested copies of gas safety records from Mr Evans. He provided a certificate dated November 2024 that had been completed following the concern, but was unable to supply any records covering the previous eight years.

Gas safety checks are a basic legal requirement for landlords and are essential to ensure that appliances and flues are safe. Failing to have these checks carried out places tenants at risk of serious harm, including carbon monoxide poisoning.

The sentencing comes after the HSE issued a warning to the public recently amid a surge in prosecutions against those carrying out illegal gas work – Families warned of risk to life from unregistered gas work amid surge in prosecutions of illegal traders – HSE Media Centre.

Adam Evans, of Brownlow Road, New Ferry, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 36(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was fined £2,400 and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on 8 October 2025.

Members of the public are reminded that landlords must ensure that gas appliances are checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer and that records of these checks are retained. Carbon monoxide alarms should also be installed to provide an early warning of danger.

HSE inspector Ian Betley said:

“Adam Evans showed a complete disregard for the law and put the lives of a mother and her children at risk.

“The case highlights a serious failure by him to comply with well-established gas safety requirements.

“Annual gas safety checks are a legal duty and are in place to protect tenants from very real and potentially fatal risks.

“Landlords must ensure that gas appliances and flues are properly maintained and inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Failure to do so will not be tolerated and enforcement action will be taken.”

Gas engineers and consumers can contact the Gas Safe Register in any of these ways:

Website: www.gassaferegister.co.uk

Phone – Consumers: 0800 408 5500; Engineers: 0800 408 5577

Email – enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Chloe Ward and paralegal officer Sarah Thomas.

 

Further information:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
3. Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
4. Guidance on domestic gas health and safety is available.
5. HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so.  The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences in England and Wales can be found here and for those in Scotland here.