October 2nd, 2009
A man from Barrow-in-Furness is to be paid compensation after using a vibrating tool at work left him with a permanent injury.
John Sides, 44, was an employee at cleaning products manufacturer Robert McBride and had been using a grinder to remove paint from a floor, the Workplace Law Network reports.
After using the equipment for two days, Mr Sides began to suffer problems with his shoulder and now has permanent symptoms associated with hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
He took legal action against the company because he had not been given any training on how to use the grinder and because his injuries have left him unable to do his decorating job properly.
Robert McBride admitted negligence and agreed to a compensation payout of £17,500.
Spokesman for the trade union GMB Tom Brennan said: "Had his employer taken more care to give him training on how to use the tool correctly to minimise vibration, this accident could have been avoided."
Last month, GP Martin Scurr said in an article for the Daily Mail that anyone who has developed work-related HAVS should look into making a compensation claim because it is a recognised industrial disease.
Tags: Arm Vibration Syndrome, Barrow In Furness, Barrow Man, Cleaning Products, Compensation Claim, Daily Mail, Gmb, Gp, Grinder, Hand Arm Vibration, Job, Negligence, Paint, Products Manufacturer, Robert Mcbride, Scurr, Spokesman, Tom Brennan, Workplace Law
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September 10th, 2009
Workers who suffer from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) have been advised to seek legal advice about the possibility of making a compensation claim.
The condition, commonly known as vibration white finger, affects the blood vessels, nerves and muscles in the hands and wrists, leading to numbness and loss of movement, and often causing the fingers to change colour.
It is often the result of working with vibrating tools such as drills and chain saws.
Writing for the Daily Mail, GP Martin Scurr explained that HAVS is a recognised industrial disease, so companies should have health and safety procedures, such as providing gloves and time limits on the use of vibrating machinery, in place.
He added that "negligence is unacceptable" and recommended that anyone who has developed work-related HAVS should look into making a compensation claim.
Last month, Anthony Barry, a former toolmaker from St Helens, received £8,500 in compensation after developing the condition as a result of working with vibrating tools while employed by Ford Motor Company.
Mr Barry said his former employer had not warned him about the dangers of working with such equipment.
Tags: Arm Vibration Syndrome, Blood Vessels, Chain Saws, Compensation Claim, Compensation Claims, Daily Mail, Ford Motor, Ford Motor Company, Hand Arm Vibration, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Procedures, Legal Advice, Negligence, Nerves, Numbness, Scurr, St Helens, Time Limits, Toolmaker, Vibration White Finger
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August 10th, 2009
A man who developed the debilitating condition Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) after using power tools at work has received compensation from his former employers.
Anthony Barry, 61, was a fitter for the automobile company Ford in Halewood before taking early retirement in 2000.
He began to notice problems with his hands in 2005, with his digits turning white in cold weather.
Mr Barry sought medical advice after he was informed by his colleagues that it could be Havs and was indeed diagnosed with the problem, which is also known as Vibration White Finger.
He commented: "I was never warned about the dangers of developing this condition."
Ford has now agreed to a payout of £8,500 for failing to protect the safety of its employees.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, almost two million people in the UK are at risk from Havs as a result of the tools they use at work.
Tags: Arm Vibration Syndrome, Automobile Company, Cold Weather, Colleagues, Digits, Early Retirement, Fitter, Ford, Halewood, Hand Arm Vibration, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, Havs, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Executive, Medical Advice, Power Tools, Risk, Two Million, Vibration White Finger
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July 7th, 2009
A man who now suffers from the painful condition Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (Havs) after operating tools at work has secured compensation for his pain and suffering.
Alexander Simpson, 60, worked with a vibrating grinder five days a week at West Cumberland Engineering until 2007.
He began to suffer pain and numbness in his hands and was diagnosed with Havs, which means he can no longer carry out simple tasks like gardening.
The victim took legal action against West Cumberland Engineering and the company recently admitted liability.
It has agreed to an undisclosed payout for Mr Simpson as part of an out-of-court settlement and has moved him to a different position within the company.
Mr Simpson said: "I decided to pursue compensation because I wanted to make sure I was moved on to a different job to prevent my condition from getting worse."
According to the Health and Safety Executive, five million workers are exposed to hand-arm vibration in the workplace.
Tags: Alexander, Arm Vibration Syndrome, Court Settlement, Cumberland, Damages, Exposed, Grinder, Hand Arm Vibration, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, Havs, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Executive, Job, Mr Simpson, Numbness, Pain And Suffering, West Cumberland
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May 13th, 2009
A man who developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome after working with vibrating tools five days a week has secured compensation.
Alexander Simpson, 60, works at West Cumberland Engineering in Lillyhall, but began to develop problems in carrying out simple tasks with his hands, the Times and Star reports.
He decided to take legal action against the company because his hands frequently turn numb.
"I decided to pursue compensation because I wanted to make sure I was moved on to a different job to prevent my condition from getting worse," Mr Simpson explained.
The company admitted liability and settled Mr Simpson’s payout out of court. He was also moved onto another job with the same firm.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, around five million workers in the UK are exposed to Hand Arm Vibration at work. Two million of these workers are exposed to levels of vibration where there are clear risks.
Tags: Alexander, Arm Vibration Syndrome, Cumberland, Hand Arm Vibration, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Executive, Job, Mr Simpson, Star Reports, Two Million, Vibration Damage, West Cumberland
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