Vibration White Finger (VWF) is a condition which can be caused by prolonged exposure to tools and equipment that vibrate, such as pneumatic drills.
When was Vibration White Finger recognised?
Knowledge of Vibration White Finger (VWF) as a condition is believed to have occurred in the mid-1970s, after the British Standard ‘Vibration White Finger in Industry’ was published. A notable legal case, Armstrong and other –v– British Coal, details the date of knowledge as 1973.
In another noteworthy case, Doherty –v– Rugby Joinery(UK) Ltd, the Court of Appeal held that in the woodwork industry, the employer of the Defendant was under no duty to assess and monitor employees for symptoms of Vibration White Finger before 1991/1992.
The three components of symptoms:
- Neurological component – Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, reduced sensation to touch and temperature, and a reduction in dexterity.
- Vascular component – Symptoms include episodic blanching of fingers (usually when exposed to cold). Vibration itself does not precipitate symptoms, despite causing condition initially in finger tips (Rarely occurs in thumbs, except in more extreme cases) – spreading into the whole finger and even the palm. Pain and redness in fingers often follows.
- Pain/stiffness – Affecting hand and arm.
What is the duty of my employer?
It is the duty of the employer under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure the safety and welfare of employees.
If it can be proven that prolonged exposure to vibration occurred due to your job, and adequate measures were not taken to protect you from injury, it may be possible to successfully pursue a claim against a past or current employer.
Further reading
Vibration injuries – Oakwood Solicitors
A guide to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) – Oakwood Solicitors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
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Liam Hill is a Solicitor and Deputy Head of the Industrial Disease Team, having trained and qualified at Oakwood Solicitors. Liam joined us in 2013 after successfully completing the Legal Practice C…
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