Bosses at Thanet District Council have issued an “unreserved apology” to 40 of its workers for breaching health and safety regulations over “white finger” syndrome.

The council, which had entered guilty pleas to two of four charges involving offences from 2005 to 2014, has now been fined £250,000.

Two other charges, which the council denied, were ordered to be left on the file.

James Buchanon, for the council, warned any “hefty” fine would have an impact on jobs and services in Thanet.

Judge Heather Norton said she had read reports from some of the dedicated staff at the Dane Park Depot, who are affected by the syndrome, which “makes very sad reading”.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how employees using power tools for many hours each day were exposed to risks which could have been prevented.

Prosecutor Richard Benyon told how risk assessments on the affects of vibration on workers weren’t carried out and senior staff failed to act on reports until one of the employees was diagnosed with the problem.

More than 40 workers were exposed to "unacceptable levels" of vibration caused by repeated and pro-longed use of grave digging tools, lawnmowers and other specialist equipment.

"This was a systematic failure by the council to protect the interests of their workers during that period. Nothing was done in relation to training or risk assessment" - Richard Benyon, prosecuting

The charges were contravening the "Control of Vibration at Work Regulations by failing to reduce employees’ exposure to vibration, including groundworker Robert Harris, to a low a level as was reasonably practicable”.

After the hearing Madeline Homer, chief executive of the council, said: "We have engaged fully with the Health and Safety Executive’s investigations and were prepared for today’s outcome.

"We are sorry for the impact this has had on those affected and would like to provide reassurances that the council has undertaken an extensive review of its policies and procedures to ensure this will not happen again.

"We have fundamentally changed our health and safety processes including extensive training and awareness campaigns for staff, as well as appointing a dedicated health and safety officer.

"With a number of new measures, tighter policies and procedures introduced and working closely with the HSE we are confident we have done all we can to mitigate this risk."

Vibration White Finger syndrome is also called Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome or Dead Finger and is a secondary form of the industrial injury called Raynaud’s syndrome, brought on by a continual use of vibrating hand-held machinery.

Mr Benyon said that from 2005 until a report was made in 2014 a number of people were diagnosed with the condition, or variants of the illness.

“This was a systematic failure by the council to protect the interests of their workers during that period. Nothing was done in relation to training or risk assessment.”

Mr Buchanon, in mitigation, said: "The council makes an unreserved apology to their employees for the damage that they have suffered as a result of the council's breach of duty."

The council was also ordered to pay £18,325 in costs.