Vibration white finger/Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
Long term use of hand tools that transmit vibration can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels in your hand. Symptoms include “white finger” where progressively the tips and then the whole finger can suffer attacks of blanching and loss of sensation, particularly in response to cold. The fingers turn red and become painful as the attack wears off.
Nerve damage can cause a loss of sensation and loss of grip and dexterity. The condition is progressive and it is likely to get worse if the sufferer continues to use vibratory tools. A sufferer may develop carpal tunnel syndrome. A person with several symptoms caused by vibration is described as suffering from HAVS.
The HSE note that you are at risk if you regularly use hand-held or hand guided power tools such as:-
- Concrete breakers, concrete pokers
- Sanders, grinders, disc cutters
- Hammer drills
- Chipping hammers
- Chain saws, brush cutters hedge trimmers, powered mowers
- Scrabblers or needles guns
You are also at risk if you hold work pieces which vibrate while being processed by powered machinery such as pedestal grinders.*
This is not an exhaustive list.
Raleys have pursued many thousands of claims for HAVS for former miners and others.
*Health & Safety Executive(INDG 296 Rev 1)
