Clinical Negligence

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White Finger

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Vibration White Finger/Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

What is it?

Vibration white finger is also known as hand arm vibration syndrome. It is a widespread problem usually stemming from prolonged usage of vibrating power tools, such as pneumatic drills. It is thought that the vibrations can cause damage to the arteries and nerve endings, which accumulates over time to cause the disease.

Symptoms

Vibrations can cause neurological and vascular damage to a person’s hands. When a sufferer’s hands are cold, they may turn white and bright red when they return to a warmer environment, making them numb, tingle or throb. Pins and needles type sensations may occur in the hands, or in more severe cases, extend to the arms as well. A person doesn’t have to be suffering all of these symptoms for a claim to be made.

Repercussions

The condition can mean that sufferers struggle to handle small or fiddly objects and it can affect their ability to grip things. Sometimes the effects will last just for a short while, but sometimes the effects will continue for hours depending on the severity of the disease.

Is it common?

There have been at least 305,000 cases reported, making it the most common disease under the DSS classifications. Every year, around 3000 cases are reported (according to the Health and Safety Executive’s data). It is also the most commonly reported disease under the reporting of Injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrence regulations.

Employers

Current and previous employers can be sued for causing vibration white finger, so they should take precautions to diminish this risk. Steps that can be taken include:

• Providing low vibration tools

• Giving workers regular breaks from using vibrating tools

• Ensuring  that the handles of any tools are warm when they are used

• Protective clothing is provided (such as padded gloves)

• Training workers on how best to hold the tools

• Repairing tools immediately

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 stipulate that an employer has to carry out a risk assessment to establish ways of controlling the risk to their workers of suffering form a vibration injury. Vibration Regulations give guidance to employers as to the Exposure Action Values and the Exposure Limit Values. The Exposure Action Values are the levels above which the employer must act to control the vibration risks and the Exposure Limit Values are the level at which daily exposure must be prevented.

The Law

The law recognises that using power tools can cause vibration white finger and a duty of care has been imposed upon employers to minimise the effects of the disease.  The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 were created to try to limit the condition. As a result, it is possible to bring a claim against an employer by a person who suffers from the condition. Sufferers may be eligible for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or alternatively they can make a claim through the courts. Some recent claimants have been awarded between £1000 and £7000.

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