Vibration White Finger (VWF) is the most familiar form of what is known as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (or HAVS).

VWF is preventable but once the damage is done, it is permanent and it is estimated that nearly 2 million people in the UK are at risk of developing HAVS or its better known friend VWF.

Hand-arm vibration comes from using vibrating hand held tools over prolonged periods. These tools can be anything that creates excessive vibration, like pneumatic drills, jigger picks, grinding tools, kango hammers, power hammers and chisels, powered lawn mowers and concrete breakers.

As can be expected from those tools, workers in construction, heavy manufacturing and road workers are particularly at risk but anyone using vibrating tools can find themselves suffering from this condition, such as forestry workers, mine and quarry workers and those involved in estate management for example grounds maintenance , park and road and rail management.

The results of using these tools over long periods of time whilst not life threatening can result in extreme pain, inability to do simple tasks like picking up coins or fastening buttons, the inability to do fine work and painful finger blanching.

What are the characteristics of VWF?

This is a form of Reynaud’s disease, a vascular condition characterised by blanching of the fingers (rarely the thumb). Other symptoms can include tingling and painful hands and fingers, and loss of strength in the hands.

The effects and be pain and distress and sleep disturbance and a reduced ability to work in damp and cold. Reduced grip strength may also result and painful blanching of the fingers is another result. This can mean reduced inability to do the job or it can even mean that someone is incapable of carrying out their employment.

Reynaud’s disease itself can be caused by other factors than the use of vibrating tools and it is important to exclude these before making a formal diagnosis of VWF and anyone suffering from these sorts of symptoms should seek medical advice.

How can my employer be responsible?

Employers have been aware (or should have been aware) that excessive or prolonged use of vibrating tools can cause VWF, since the mid 1970s and should therefore be taking precautions against it.

Employers by law have to assess and identify measures to reduce or eliminate the risks of exposure to hand arm vibration to avoid causing health problems in their employees. In particular they have to have processes in place to reduce vibration inasmuch as practicable and give proper training, information and keep an eye on the employee’s health. As regular frequent exposure to hand held vibrating tools is known to carry risks, they should take steps to protect the employee.

An employer must carry out risk assessments and take commensurate steps to reduce the risks, ensuring that the risk is controlled and employees are properly informed and trained and their exposure to the tools reduced.

What compensation can I expect?

It is important to get a formal medical diagnosis of VWF or Havs and you should seek medical advice in the first instance. Compensation may follow if you can prove that your employer has failed in their duty to protect you from getting VWF and the levels of compensation will vary depending on the severity of your symptoms, the effects on your working and home life and your ability to carry on with your job or get alternative employment.

If you believe that you are suffering from this condition then you should seek specialist leg advice at the earliest opportunity.