Vibration White Finger and control of vibration in the workplace
established by new EU regulations

Workers with Vibration White Finger (VWF) may be interested to know that, since July 2005, there are regulations in the UK dealing specifically with work vibration risks to employees.

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations implement the European Union’s Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive (1999), which covers Vibration White Finger.  These regulations impose two limits on employers:

• Exposure Action Values: the level above which an employer must take steps to control the risk of vibration exposure to their employees
  

• Exposure Limit Values: the level at which daily exposure must be prevented because of the impact on the health of workers

Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
These limits mean that, based on risk assessment, an employer must find technical and/or organisational measures to reduce vibration levels to ensure minimum exposure for their employees.  This includes finding appropriate work equipment and auxiliary equipment that reduces injuries caused by vibration, like seats reducing whole-body vibration.

Calculate the level of vibration you are being exposed to
You can use a vibration calculator to establish what vibration levels you are being exposed to in the workplace from the Health and Safety Executive. This information can be presented to your employer should you wish to register your concern at being exposed to particularly high levels of vibration.   

Be responsible for yourself - take the initiative about vibratory tools
It is an employer’s duty to protect workers from HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, which includes Vibration White Finger) but workers can also protect themselves by running through the following checklist check when carrying out work using vibratory tools:

• Ask the employer if a job could be done differently without using vibrating tools.  If not, ask if any low-vibration tools are available.

• Always use the right tool for the job to minimise any vibration.

• Check that the tools the employer is providing have been maintained and repaired to avoid vibration caused by wear and tear.

• Avoid gripping the tools for the job more than necessary.

• Encourage good blood circulation by keeping warm and taking regular breaks between sessions to give your body time to relax.

How to claim for Vibration White Finger
We can help you to make a claim if you are suffering from Vibration White Finger as a result of an accident or injury in the workplace. Our extensive team of personal injury solicitors have specialist experience in dealing with work-related compensation cases, and can talk you through the regulations and implications for people working in the construction industries.

Simply chat to us online or call us on 0800 10 757 95 for free legal advice, or have us call you back by completing our call-back form. Our advisors are ready to help you now.