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Vibration injury

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome and claiming for damages

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) has been known about for many years - in fact vibration has been causing injuries since the eighteenth century.   However,  employers can only be held responsible for injuries cause by vibration from 1 January 1976.  This is the "date of knowledge", established by the high number of cases among miners during the 1970s. 

The condition

HAVS is caused by the regular use of vibrating hand-held tools, such as pneumatic drills.  This can lead to tingling, numbness and whiteness in the fingers - the classic HAVS symptoms. These symptoms are sometimes called vibration white finger (VWF), but this only relates to the vascular condition (the whiteness).

Symptoms

The greater and more frequent your exposure to vibration, the more severe your symptoms are likely to be.  These include:

  • Tingling in the hands, sometimes with aching wrists and forearms.  The symptoms tend to disappear when the vibration stops
  • Numb fingers with a lack of sensitivity
  • Fingertips turn white when cold due to restricted blood flow and there is painful tingling when blood flow returns.  Attacks may last for up to an hour.

The condition can be permanent

There are different ways of measuring the scale of injury, but the Stockholm Workshop Scale is the only accepted one.

Treatment

Once the condition has developed, there is little than can be done medically to treat it.  Smoking may make symptoms worse, so stopping smoking can help.  It is also a good idea to keep your hands warm to maintain a good blood supply to your fingers.  But sadly, once your nerves or nerve fibres have been damaged, they can't be repaired.

Occupations likely to suffer from HAVS

HAVS is normally suffered by workers in the mining, steel and engineering industries.  But anyone doing the following activities may be exposed to vibration risks.

  • Using percussive tools e.g., riveting, caulking, fettling and swaging
  • Grinding, including pedestal and hand-held grinders
  • Using pneumatic drills and hammers, including percussive and rotary hammers
  • Using chain saws, including garden machinery

Prevention

The best way to avoid suffering from HAVS is to prevent workers having to use the vibrating machinery or by limiting their exposure. This could be by modifying the tool or the process, introducing work rotation or minimising the hand-grip on the tool.  Regular medical reviews are also important to spot early symptoms.

What to do next

HAVS can have serious and wide-ranging effects on your life and you deserve to get the best help available. If you believe you are suffering from HAVS, you must  see your GP quickly.

You should also start your claim for damages as soon as possible, because there are time limits,

Contact your nearest Russell Jones & Walker office or call 0870 143 0970.

Case studies

Information on vibration injury related cases we have run.

Further Reading on Vibration Injury

 

See also