VWF compensation claims and the self-employed

Any self-employed person working in the UK who regularly uses vibrating machinery should be especially vigilant in their approach to using vibration dampening personal protective equipment. This is because, except in rare exceptions, self employed people who develop VWF will find that they are not able to make a Vibration White Finger claim.

This scenario is particularly pertinent to the thousands of "odd-job men" who currently work in the UK. Such self-employed workers will often use a variety of vibrating equipment throughout the course of their working lives and may be risking VWF without having recourse to a Vibration White Finger claim.

Often, because they do not specialise in one particular field of manual work, they may not be aware of the risks associated with specific piece of equipment.

What kind of equipment is an "odd-job man" likely to use?
Exploring the definition of "odd-job man" shows just how hard it is to establish precisely what kind of tools this type of worker is likely to use.

In short, there is no definitive answer; however, it is worth looking at some of the tools "odd-job men" use and their relative association with VWF.

Outdoors and indoors
Here is a list of some of the tools "odd job men" might use while performing both outdoor and indoor work, together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) determined risk factor of each tool.

High risk factor

Needle gun (both outdoors and indoors).

Chainsaw (outdoors).

Clearing saw (outdoors)

Jigsaw (both).

Hammering and chipping tools (mostly outdoors).

Medium risk factor

• Lawnmower (outdoors).
• Hedge trimmer (outdoors).
• Sander (both).
• Jigsaw (both).
• Power plane (both).

Low risk factor

• Screwdriver (both).
• Floor polisher (indoors).
• Vacuum cleaner (indoors).
• Circular saw (both).
• Drill (both).
• Router (both).

How risk factor is calculated
The HSE consider that high risk equipment should only be used for a short period each day. There should be frequent breaks, a high level of control as well as the best possible protective equipment when using these kinds of tools.

Medium level risk equipment can be used more consistently but, due to the level of risk, use should be strictly monitored and limited where possible.

Low level risk factor equipment can normally be used for the best part of an eight hour working day. However, this does not mean there should be any level of complacency about its risk. Regular breaks should still be taken where possible.

As the self-employed may often hire their equipment, it is important that when doing so, they always check with the hiring company to see if there is a low vibration level alternative. It is also advisable to check equipment to see if it contains a sticker outlining its level of vibration risk.

Particular care should be taken when using vibrating machinery in cold weather, as low temperatures can increase the VWF risk.

Cases where the self-employed can make a no win, no fee claim
Unfortunately, as discussed earlier, if a self-employed worker develops VWF, he or she will not be able to make a claim for Vibration White Finger compensation.

However, if the "odd-job man" develops VWF working on a site where someone else is responsible for both the working environment and the machinery used, making a Vibration White Finger claim does become a possibility.

A case in point
Tim, 44, from West Sussex, had spent many years working successfully as an "odd-job man" around his local area.

Whether it was building fences, trimming hedges or knocking down walls, he was the man most in his local community would turn to to get the job done.

Tim explains, "People used to say that there must have about five of me. They'd ask me how it was I appeared to be working all over the village. Like most jack-of-all-trades, I was just very industrious.

"I knew about Vibration White Finger, but somehow I thought I was too man for it. In the winter of 2003, when I bit the bullet and accepted that I had it bad, I realised that I had no one to blame but myself.

"I'd just been a bit gung-ho about it, and because I'd been self-employed I couldn't make a Vibration White Finger claim.

"I can't work anymore, although I might help out a bit in the summer months. As I have so many contacts and so many people who trusted my work, I decided to employ a few people to work for me.

"It's ironic that, while I took so little care of myself, I strive to ensure that my lads are exposed as little as is possible from the dangers of vibrating machinery.

"My advice to all self-employed odd-job men is to look after themselves, because if you don't no one else will."

Making a no win, no fee VWF compensation claim
If you have developed VWF as a result of your employer's failure to properly protect you from the dangers of vibrating machinery, you may well be able to claim Vibration White Finger compensation.

YouClaim are specialists in representing workers who have developed industrial illnesses and industrial injuries.

Over the years we have helped hundreds of people secure damages awards for Vibration White Finger and are confident we can bring our expertise to you.

With a team of no win, no fee solicitors who, governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, are considered to be among the best in the UK, we will represent you at absolutely no cost.

Win or lose, we guarantee that you will not have to pay either us or the opposing side a single penny in legal costs or fees.

Furthermore, as we consider your interests to be paramount, we promise never to take a cut of your compensation, meaning you get to keep 100% of all money awarded you.

If you would like to make your Vibration White Finger claim today, drop us an online claim form or call us now on 0800 10 757 95.