Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) has been in the news recently after GKN Aerospace was fined £26,800 and ordered to pay costs of £8,256 after admitting four breaches of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 between July 2005 and December 2011.
HAVS is an industrial injury which is caused or made worse by prolonged use of vibrating tools or equipment. It was more commonly known as vibration white finger but symptoms were not confined to the fingers and so the term HAVS was adopted.
According to figures compiled by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), nearly two million workers in the UK are at risk of Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome, and although the condition is preventable, once the damage is done, it is permanent.
GKN Aerospace was prosecuted in March this year after five factory workers on the GKN plant in East Cowes were left with long-term damage as a result of contracting hand-arm vibration syndrome from using power tools too much. HSE specialist inspector Anne Bartlett said after the hearing:
"Employers must take timely and effective measures to ensure that the health of their staff is not seriously and permanently affected as a result of the work they do. The most efficient and effective way of controlling exposure to hand-arm vibration is to look for new or alternative work methods which eliminate or reduce exposure to vibration."
HAVS is caused by regular and prolonged use of vibrating tools or machinery. Whilst use of such equipment may be unavoidable in certain industries (the occupations potentially most at risk being; plant operatives, plant mechanics, steel erectors/structural, civil engineering operatives, wood trade/interior fitters, floorers & electric trades) there are a number of measures that an employer can and should implement in order to reduce the vibration exposure of workers.
Some examples of vibratory tools linked to HAVS symptoms and vibration white finger claims include: -
- Concrete breakers, concrete pokers
- Sanders, grinders, disc cutters;
- Hammer drills
- Chipping hammers
- Chainsaws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers
- Powered mowers
- Scabblers or needle guns
HAVS affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm. Symptoms can differ in nature and severity but the condition is painful and often debilitating. Once symptoms occur they are usually permanent, therefore it is important to look out for symptoms and identify it early: -
- Cold sensation in the fingertips
- Whiteness/blanching of finger joints
- Loss of feeling or tingling sensation in fingers
- Loss of strength in your hands (you may be less able to pick up or hold heavy objects).
Continued use of high vibration tools after noticing the above symptoms could lead to the numbness in hands becoming permanent and being unable to feel things at all.
If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms and feel that your employer has failed in their duty of care by not adopting working practices and methods that minimise the risk of HAVS, then you may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim.
If you would like to talk to someone about your situation, or that of a family member or friend, then our friendly specialist advisors are on hand. There is no charge for this service and you are under no obligation to claim with us.
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http://info.mayiclaim.co.uk/personal_injury_compensation_claim_news/bid/299883/Hand-and-Arm-Vibration-Syndrome-HAVS
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