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Workers’ union GMB recently asked Thompsons Solicitors to sue General Kinematics Ltd. on the behalf of Keith Rowley, one of its members, who works as a fitter for the company. The suit was for compensation for suffering from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which is an occupational hazard for those who work with their hands with vibrating tools or machinery for a long duration.

The early symptoms of the disease include numbness in the fingertips, general aches in the hands, arms and fingers, and years of the same work can leave workers with severe pain in the hands. The disease can be very hard on the workers in the long run. Andrea Austin, the Legal Administrator of the union said that it is a very common disease and the union has many members who suffer from it. The disease can incapacitate the victims in both their professional and personal lives.

Austin also mentioned that under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, employers are required to perform an assessment of risk towards the life and well being of workers due to vibrating tools.

The disease has compelled Mr. Rowley to wear gloves in winter and he suffers from frequent severe aches in his hands. The suit did not proceed in court as the employer chose to pay £10,000 in an out-of-court settlement while at the same time denying its liability. Employers need to provide appropriate training for their employees to reduce both lost time through work related injuries and/or potential employer’s liability claims. Manual handling training enables your organisation to be compliant with the requirement to train persons involved in manual handling activities; click on manual handling courses for more info.

Martin Fell, speaking for Thompson Solicitors, said that it is important to protect those workers who have accepted the disease as an inevitable consequence of their profession. He emphasized that it is important to give them a right to claim compensation if they suffer from the condition.