HSE worried about increasing reports of HAVS in 2021

A report release in November 2022 by the HSE has shown a dramatic increase in the number of new Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) cases in 2021.

To be particular, there were 300 new cases of HAVS reported in addition to 165 new Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and 255 new cases of Depuytrens Contracture. These are rises of 375%, 412% and 392% respectively.

The unfortunate issue here is that all of these conditions are preventable by proper control of vibration and loads upon hands and arms in the workplace.

The other issue that has arisen in the HSE’s report is that rise of cases of these condition in what it calls services industries. Typically these conditions have been very common is industries such as mining and construction.

However, a new a significant contributor to these conditions arising are sections such as manufacturing, repair of vehicles and accommodation and food service industries. They are now accordance for up to 50% of the new reported cases in 20921.

We are of the view that this increase in reported cases is not down to an increase in incident of these conditions arising but very much down to the HSE’s response to investigating companies where this is an issue and and increasing in reporting through RIDDOR.

We say that as it is clear that millions of people are at risk of developing these conditions each year and around 300,00 people in the UK suffer from HAVS alone.

This has had an impact on the industry with the HSE dishing out some £2.5million in fine in the last 7 years with £1.4millon of these being since 2018. There is also an increase in successful Claimant litigation for these cases with many more potentially injured individuals coming forward.

HSE regulations stipulate that companies have a legal requirement to at least provide a risk assessment of the likely manual handling and vibration activities that may pose a risk to there employers and where possible they need to understand the level of vibration to ensure they are under the safe levels set out in UK legitimation.

We would, as solicitors, encourage anyone suffering with these conditions to come forward as soon as possible. A high percentage of cases are rejected due to Claimant’s simply putting up with there symptoms and being found out of time to bring a claim.

To be clear, a person has 3 year in which to bring a claim for these injuries, but when that time period starts is not always clear cut and therefore if you are suffering with these conditions please do not delay in seeking a legal opinion no matter how long you have suffered with it for.

Further reading

Vibration injuries – Oakwood Solicitors

Sources:

Concerns grow as HSE records biggest growth in HAVS cases for five years

Health and safety statistics – hse.gov.uk

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