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Vibration White Finger Compensation Claims
What is Vibration White Finger?
It is now know as Hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) causes symptoms in
fingers, hands and arms caused by vibrating tools. It used to be called
'vibration white finger'. The name was changed to HAVS as other symptoms
may occur in addition to white fingers.
What causes hand arm vibration
syndrome?
HAVS is caused by repeated and frequent use of hand held vibrating tools.
For example, power drills, chainsaws, pneumatic drills, etc. It may also
be caused by holding or working with machinery that vibrates. It is not
clear how vibration causes the condition. It is probably due to slight
but repeated injury to the small nerves and blood vessels in the fingers.
Over time these may gradually lose some of their function and cause symptoms.
It has been estimated that up to 1 in 10 people who work regularly with
vibrating tools may develop HAVS.
What are the symptoms of hand
arm vibration syndrome? Can I make a claim for compensation?
- At first the fingers go white and cool. This is due to the small blood
vessels narrowing (going into spasm).
- They then go a blue-ish colour. This is due to the oxygen being used
up from the reduced blood supply of the narrowed blood vessels.
- They then go bright red. This is due to the blood vessels opening up
again (dilating) and the return of a good blood flow. This may cause tingling,
throbbing and pain.
Some people do not have the full classic colour changes, but still develop bouts of uncomfortable, pale, cold fingers. The duration of each bout of symptoms can last from minutes to hours. The amount of pain or discomfort varies between people. Symptoms usually go after each bout, but one or more blue-ish fingers may persist in the most severe cases.
Nerve symptoms
Numbness (loss of feeling) and/or tingling (pins and needles) in one or
more fingers may develop. It may be mild and just affect the tips of the
finger(s) and 'come and go'. In severe cases a permanent numbness may
extend along affected fingers. This may cause clumsiness and difficulty
in doing fine tasks. For example, it may become difficult to fasten buttons,
handle coins, screws, nails, threads, etc. In many people the severity
of nerve symptoms is somewhere in between these two extremes. Sometimes
one finger is badly affected with other fingers only mildly affected.
Aches and pains
Minor damage to the muscles, joints and bones may cause aches and pains
in the hands and lower arm. The strength of your grip may be weakened.
How do symptoms progress?
You may at first have bouts of Raynaud's phenomenon on cold, wet, and
windy days affecting the ends of one or more fingers. You may have some
numbness or tingling which 'comes and goes' around the same time. Symptoms
may remain mild, but can progress if you continue to work with vibrating
tools. Vibration itself rarely triggers a bout of Raynaud's phenomenon.
It is cold weather or other cold conditions that trigger Raynaud's phenomenon.
As the condition develops, the amount of cold needed to trigger symptoms is less. You may then have bouts of Raynaud's phenomenon in the summer, though usually only if your hands are wet. If the condition becomes more severe you may have bouts of Raynaud's phenomenon along the full length of affected fingers, and develop some permanent numbness.
In some people the symptoms develop months or even years after finishing working with vibrating tools.
Can hand arm vibration syndrome
be prevented?
The following steps are thought to help prevent HAVS in workers who use
vibrating tools.
- Hold tools as loosely as possible, and in varying positions.
- Ensure that tools are well maintained.
- Use tools correctly, and use the right tool for the job. The aim is
not to need excessive grip or to use a tool for longer than necessary.
- Use antivibration gloves.
- Take regular breaks of at least 10 minutes away from the tool. Short
bursts of work are better than long periods of work without a break.
- Keep warm while at work. Especially the hands to keep the blood flow
as good as possible.
- You should not smoke - the chemicals in tobacco can affect blood flow.
It is essential that an employer assesses whether or not employees are being exposed to possibility of contracting this ailment. All employers have a duty ensure that all equipment is fit for use and that employees are properly trained and have the correct safety equipment. If an employer fails in this duty it is quite reasonable for an injured employee to commence a claim for injury compensation.
What is the treatment for hand
arm vibration syndrome?
Stop using vibrating tools if possible. This may prevent symptoms from
getting worse. Bouts of Raynaud's phenomenon may ease off if symptoms
are mild and you stop working with vibrating tools. However, it is not
clear whether nerve symptoms can improve once they have developed. If
possible, you should consider a change of job.
In addition, treatment is similar to other causes of
Raynaud's phenomenon. This aims to prevent the blood vessels going into
spasm and causing the symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon. The following
are usually advised.
- Stop smoking if you are a smoker. The chemicals in tobacco can cause
the small blood vessels to constrict (narrow). Stopping smoking may prevent
bouts of Raynaud's phenomenon.
- Keep warm. In particular, warm gloves are essential when you are out
in cool weather. It is best to put the gloves on when you are warm, before
going into colder areas. If you have severe bouts of Raynaud's phenomenon,
portable heat packs and battery heated gloves are useful. The Raynaud's
and Scleroderma Association have a list of suppliers - see below for their
details.
- Avoid changes in temperature whenever possible. And, try not to touch
cold or wet objects.
- Medication may be helpful if symptoms are severe. Nifedipine is the
most common medicine used. Other medicines may be tried if this is not
helpful or causes side effects. Medication works by 'opening up' (dilating)
the blood vessels. You need to take medication regularly, each day, to
prevent symptoms. Some people take medication just in winter, or during
spells of cold weather. Rarely, 'nerve blocks' or other hospital based
treatments may be tried if you have severe Raynaud's phenomenon that is
not helped by other treatments.
For compensation and injury advice from a specialist claim solicitor simply complete the 'industrial disease claim assessment form'
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