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White Finger: The Facts Pointed Out

WHITE FINGER: THE FACTS POINTED OUT Most people have heard of Vibration-induced White Finger a form of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (or Raynaud's Phenomenon). But even though millions are at risk, the causes, symptoms and ways in which it can be avoided are far less well known. This infographic outlines the risks that exist to workers in the UK and - if that's you – what you can do about it to protect yourself. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? 2 Not being able Tingling and to feel or possibly pick up things with your fingers numbness in your fingers Loss of Fingertips go white then red in strength in your hands cold, wet weather Attacks can last 15 15 minutes or more until the hands re-warm WHAT IS LATENT 30 YEARS OF VWF? SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSES Vibration-induced white finger (VWF) is the most common symptom of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) O symptoms at first it may take months or even years for symptoms to appear. It has been a prescribed disease since 1985. where vibration is transmitted 1985 into a workers hands and arms resulting in reduced circulation to the fingers. A LARGE SCALE PROBLEM 2,000,000 301,000 people are at serious risk from VWE affecting their health and capacity to work. A Medical Research Council survey estimated 301,000 people suffer from vibration white finger (WVF) in Great Britain. ARE YOU AT RISK? If you use certain kinds of tools you could be 8 1. Chainsaws 2. Grinders 3. Hand-fed equipment, eg pedestal linishers 4. Impact drills 5. Scaling hammers 6. Pedestrian controlled equipment including mowers, floor saws, floor polishers 7. Powered hammers 8. Sanders and polishers 9. Hand-held saws Your risk depends on how long you use them. Your risk from exposure (the Exposure Action Value) starts around: 00:15 TE 15 minutes use of a hammer action tool 01:00 T: 1 hour use of non-hammer action tools The absolute maximum you should be exposed (the Exposure Limit Value) is around: 01:00 TE 1 hour use of a hammer action tool 04:00 TE 4 hours use of non-hammer action tools TREATMENT FOR WHITE FINGER 1. Stay fit 2. Improve your circulation especially to your hands 3. Stop smoking 4. Wrap hands as fast as possible when an attack occurs 5. Avoid all vibrating equipment BUT...PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE It is the employer's responsibility to assess workers' risk, but there are many things you can do to help protect yourself on the job. • Try to keep warm at work • Wear warm gloves if working in the cold • Keep exercising hands and fingers to improve circulation • Don't touch cold objects • Use the right, well-maintained tool for the job – with no more force than is necessary • Use equipment for short bursts instead of long periods Johnson Law INJURY LAWYERS Johnson Law supports workers suffering from Vibration White Finger For more information visit www.johnson-law.co.uk Design: Bite Digital (www.biteus.net) Sources: http://www.raynauds.org.uk/associated-conditions/vibration-white-finger http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/health-and-safety/noise-and-vibration?mins=150&minors=124&majorsubjectID=2 http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/statistics.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg175.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/statistics.htm http://ergonomics.about.com/od/vibrationsyndromes/a/vwftp.htm

White Finger: The Facts Pointed Out

shared by bitedigital on May 01
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VWF - also known as Raynaud's Syndrome - affects over 300,000 in the UK, with over 2,000,000 more at risk.If you work with power tools and other high impact machinery, your employer has a duty to prot...

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Johnson Law

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Health
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