Vibration white finger

The latest requirements in health and safety and construction design in the United Kingdom and other countries require the minimization of the use of tools with high vibration due to the risk of vibration white finger to operatives. 

A condition known as vibration white finger is caused by an impaired blood supply to the fingers, associated with vibrating hand tools. 

Vibration applied to the hand/arms through a tool or piece of equipment. This can cause a reduction in blood flow to the hands/fingers (Raynaud s disease or vibration white finger). Also, it can interfere with sensory receptor feedback leading to increased handgrip force to hold the tool. Further, a strong association has... 

Ekenvall L, Lindblad LE (1989) Effect of tobacco use on vibration white finger disease. J Occup Med 30 13-16... 

Koskimies K, Pyykko I, Starck J, Inaba R (1992) Vibration syndrome among Finnish forest workers between 1972 and 1990. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 64 251-256 Leake JP (1918) Health hazards from the use of the air hammer in cutting Indiana limestone. Public Health Rep 3 379-393 Lewis T (1930) Observations upon the reactions of the vessels of the human skin to cold. Heart 15 177-208 Lindblad LE, Ekenvall L (1990) Alpha2-adrenoceptor inhibition in patients with vibration white fingers. Kurume Med J 37[Suppl] 95-99... 

Taylor W, Pelmear P, Pearson J (1975) Vibration-induced white finger epidemiology. In Taylor W, Pelmear P (eds) Vibration white finger in industry. Academic Press, London, PP 1-13... 

Bleehen SS, Gould DJ, Harrington CP, et al. (1981) Occupational argyria. Br J Dermatol 104 19-26 Botella R, Sastre A, Castells A (1985) Contact dermatitis to paraquat. Contact Dermatitis 13 123-124 Boyle JC, Smith NJ, Burke FD (1988) Vibration white finger. J Hand Surg Br 13 171-175... 

Taylor W, Pelmear PL (1975) Vibration white finger in industry. Academic Press, London... 

Stonemasons are at risk of hand-arm vibration when using chipping hammers, angle grinders, drills, disk cutters, air rammers and abrasive wheels. Vibration-induced vasospastic disease, such as vibration white finger, or bone and joint disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are the most common diseases [8-10]. Damage to blood circulation, nerves and muscles may influence occupational skin disease. 

The vibration of hand-held tools can, as noted earlier, cause vibration white finger or Raynaud s syndrome. Good design can reduce transmission of vibration to the hands. 

Table 1.6 compares the annual cases seen by specialist doctors in the construction and all industries. The incidence rates show that asbestos related diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and vibration white finger are far more prevalent in the construction industry. Diffuse pleural thickening of the lung lining is thought to be principally due to exposure to asbestos but can be... 

Examples of health concerns, developed in the civil tort of negligence and which are receiving increasing attention in the courts and by the HSE, are workplace stress repetitive strain injury (RSI) and (WRULD) and vibration white finger (VWF). ... 

Vibration white finger. Smith v. Wright Beyer Ltd (Court of Appeal) [2001] EWCA Civ 1069 Allen v. British Rail Engineering Ltd (Court of Appeal) [2001] PIQR QIO... 

HAVS follows from exposure to vibrations in the range 2-1500 Hz which causes narrowing in the blood vessels of the hand, damage to the nerves and muscle fibres and to bones and joint evidenced by pain and stiffness in the joints of the upper arm. The impaired circulation of blood to the fingers leads to a condition known as vibration white finger (VWF). The most damaging frequency range is 5-350 Hz. 

Risk assessments will identify circumstances where health surveillance will be appropriate. Legal requirements for such surveillance extend beyond exposure to substances hazardous to health. Generally, there will be a need if there is an identifiable disease or health condition related to the work, there is a valid technique for its identification, there is a likelihood that the disease or condition may occur as a result of the work, and the surveillance will protect further the health of employees. Examples where these conditions may apply are vibration white finger and forms of work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs). 

Older chainsaws are unlikely to provide sufficient protection against vibration because of their design. Vibration white finger is a common occupational complaint, and specific enquiries should be made concerning this when selecting a suitable saw for use. 

Every year in the construction industry over 100 people are killed and thousands more are seriously injured as a result of the work that they do. There are thousands more who suffer from health problems, such as dermatitis, asbestosis, industrial asthma, vibration white finger and deafness. You can therefore see why learning as much as you can about health and safety is very important. 

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