VWF in shipbuilders

Vibration White Finger (VWF) is a medical condition that affects thousands of people in the UK, many of who suffer from it as a result of their work. It is one of the most common work-related illnesses in sectors involving physical labour and heavy machinery, although much less so in sedentary jobs and office work. Read more about construction workers and VWF.

One of the industries whose workers are often forced to make Vibration White Finger claims is shipbuilding. With shipyards generally employing between 100 and 1,000 people, there are many potential VWF sufferers and it is vital that companies in the shipbuilding industry take every care to protect their employees from this uncomfortable condition.

VWF and shipbuilding
Shipyards can be divided into three main areas, with each carrying a risk of Vibration White Finger for those working in them. The first is the manufacturing 'shop', in which employees make the basic pieces that will later be put together and then installed on the ships. Many workers in this area will come into contact with vibrating machinery in the course of their work.

The shipyard is the area in which all of the items produced by the manufacturing shop are organised and transported between the shop and the ship. Whilst these workers are less likely to use vibrating machinery for much of their work and thus do not suffer from Vibration White Finger so much, they are exposed to other musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) such as rotator cuff tendonitis (a shoulder injury) and lower back pain.

Those who actually work on the ships themselves may well be exposed to the dangers of high vibration tools and may also have to work in confined conditions and cold temperatures. Together with the repetitive movements and the force often required to carry out their work, this means that shipbuilders are at particular risk of suffering MSDs.

Suffering from Vibration White Finger? We can help you claim compensation
If you have been diagnosed with Vibration White Finger and you believe that it is linked to your work, you may be eligible for work injury compensation. Even if you are not still employed by the firm which caused your injury, it may well still be possible to make a personal injury claim against their insurers.

Our no win, no fee solicitors have specialist knowledge of VWF claims, having helped many other people in your situation to get industrial injury compensation from their employer. At no point will they ever charge you a penny for their services, meaning that your compensation claim is 100% cost free.

If you wish to find out more about claiming compensation for VWF, get in touch with us today. You can telephone us on 0800 10 757 95, talk to us online via e-chat or request a call back at a convenient time.