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Vibration White Finger
Vibration White Finger/Raynauds Phenomenon
Raynauds Phenomenon has been known since the 1800s. The cause can be either constitutional or induced by occupations which expose the hands of employees to the extensive use of vibratory tools and equipment.
The symptoms consist of tingling in the fingers usually with associated numbness and finger blanching attacks where fingers go white. It is often exacerbated by exposure to cold. The blanching starts at the fingertips and in some cases can extend to the base of the fingers. Subject to length of exposure it can affect all fingers.
It is generally accepted that employers should have been aware of the dangers of working with vibratory tools and equipment for extensive periods of time from 1975 onwards. It was not accepted as a condition allowing a claim for Industrial Disease Benefit until 1985.
The usual class of employees affected are ground workers who use jackhammers, whacker plates etc for road breaking and in the construction industry where the use of powered tools would play a significant part of an employees daily activity. In some cases chainsaw operators have also been known to suffer from this condition and in extreme cases have lost fingers through the onset of gangrene.
Vibration White Finger is staged under the Taylor Palmear Scale and the Stockholm Workshop Scale (depending on the level of severity).
Any person who feels that they may be suffering from Vibration White Finger as a result of exposure to vibratory tools should contact a specialist Solicitor without delay. Again there are time limits in bringing a claim for Vibration White Finger.