Fitter Wins Vibration Compensation of £8,500

A fitter whose hands have been permanently damaged through the regular use of vibrating tools at work has been awarded damages.

Anthony Barry, 61, worked for the car manufacturer Ford for 33 years. During that time he used a variety of hand-held vibrating tools on a daily basis but was never warned by his employer that the nature of his work meant that he was at risk of developing an industrial injury.

In 2005, Mr Barry noticed that his fingers turned unusually white in cold weather. This was the first indication that he had developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a condition that can be permanently disabling. His doctor confirmed the diagnosis. HAVS is also known as Vibration White Finger. Other common symptoms include discolouration of the skin, general aches and pains in the hands and numbness in the fingertips.

Mr Barry took early retirement from Ford almost ten years ago but still suffers from the debilitating condition. He will have to cope with the symptoms for the rest of his life.

After bringing a claim against his former employer, Mr Barry has now been awarded £8,500 to compensate him for his injury.

Employers have a specific duty under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 to assess the vibration risk to employees and where necessary to introduce a programme of controls to eliminate the risk or reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. The preventative action needed depends on the level of the risk involved. For high risk situations employers are required to use an action plan to check and control levels of exposure. This includes providing regular health checks for employees and ensuring that they are given information and training on the health risks and the action being taken to control them.

See further information on the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.