Advice on legal issues relating to Vibration injuries in the UK

How to identify whether a claim can be made for Vibration injuries or Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) 

There are two different scales used by doctors to assess the severity of the HAVs suffered by the particular person. 

These are the Taylor and Pelmear Scale and the Stockholm Workshop Scale.  The doctor assesses such matters as how frequently the fingers go white, the number of fingers effected, whether it is only the finger tips effected or the whole finger suffers the problems of pins and needles or whiteness, etc.  

Any man or woman can suffer a vibration injury. 

Some occupations associated with HAVs are assembly workers, autobody shop workers, construction workers, electricians, ground workers, mechanics, pipe fitters, polishers and welders. 

It is  the regular use of a power tool or of machinery that causes vibration usually to the person’s hands (or whole body) that results in the vibration injury. 

Typical power tools used are wrenches, drills, strimmers, grinders, hilte guns, screwdrivers and saws.  

Since 1985 white finger disease (VWF) has been recognised as a prescribed disease (A11) for the purposes of entitlement to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. 

Also since 1985, white finger disease of Stockholm Workshop Scale level 1 became a reportable disease under the Reporting Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).

Read more

Learn more about the symptoms you may encounter with white finger and related diseases.

You may also wish to learn about the key legal issues in vibration white finger compensation claims.

Many people have made successful claims for white finger 

Court cases regarding vibration injury claims

More links:

What is Vibration white finger? - protecting workers against vibration injury - HSE on Vibration injuries