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A GMB member has received £10,000 in an out of court settlement after his hands were left permanently damaged by using vibrating tools at work.
Keith Rowley, 55, from Stourbridge was left with the debilitating condition title="Vibration Injury Claims">Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), also known as Vibration White Finger, after using vibrating tools in his job as a fitter.
His employer General Kinematics Ltd didn’t admit liability but settled the claim out of court after Keith’s union, the GMB, instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue compensation for his injury.
The condition means he suffers pain in his hands and must wear gloves during cold weather.
Industrial Injury caused by hand-held vibrating power tools
HAVS is an industrial injury which affects many people who operate hand-held vibrating power tools over a number of years.
Its symptoms can differ greatly but common complaints are numbness in the fingertips, discolouration of the skin and general aches and pains in the hands, arms and fingers.
Keith said: “I first noticed a problem with my hands six years ago. Now they turn white and become painful in cold weather and I have to wear heated gloves. I’ve worked for General Kinematics for 12 years and during that time I’ve used vibrating tools on a daily basis.”
HAVS is a widespread hazard for people working with power tools
Andrea Austin, Legal Administrator at the GMB said: “HAVS is a widespread hazard for many of our members working in a number of different industries and occupations where power tools are used.
“It can be a debilitating condition which can adversely affect our members both at work and at home.
“Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 employers are required to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk to health and safety to their employees arising from exposure to vibration at work.
Martin Fell at Thompsons Solicitors added: “We are pleased we have been able to settle this claim on behalf of Mr Rowley and the GMB. Many workers see HAVS as inevitable by-product of their work but it is a workplace injury which can have a real affect on the sufferer’s life. They should have been protected against developing HAVS and as a result have a right to pursue compensation.”
This news story was also published by Stourbridge News.