By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 12:25, Thursday, 07 May 2009

A Workington man has been awarded a substantial amount of money after his hands were left permanently damaged by using vibrating tools at work.

Alexander Simpson, 60, from the Derwent Howe area, was left with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), also known as Vibration White Finger, after using vibrating tools in his job for an engineering company.

His employer West Cumberland Engineering Ltd, which is based at Joseph Noble Road Lillyhall, admitted liability after Mr Simpson’s union, the GMB, instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue compensation for his injury.

An out of court settlement was agreed.

The condition means Mr Simpson suffers pain in his hands and cannot undertake simple tasks like gardening.

Mr Simpson still works for West Cumberland Engineering but no longer works with vibrating tools.

Until 2007 his work involved using a vibrating grinder five days a week.

He said: “My hands turn numb very quickly if they get cold and as a result I have to stop whatever task I am doing.

“It means it is hard for me to do the gardening or to continue my hobby of working with cars.

“When I was diagnosed with HAVS 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.”

Vibration White Finger 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 for each sufferer but common complaints are numbness in the fingertips, discolouration of the skin and general aches and pains in the hands, arms and fingers.

Billy Coats from the GMB union 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.

“We are pleased that in this case Mr Simpson has been compensated for his injury and that his employer has been held to account.”

Fiona Belgian at Thompsons Solicitors added: “We are pleased we have been able to settle this claim on behalf of Mr Simpson.”

First published at 11:24, Thursday, 07 May 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk