White finger claim

[QuattroCalum]

Recently I’ve experienced white finger from using a reciprocating saw at work. The fore finger goes stone cold and white quite alarming when experienced for the first time. I’d just like to hear from anyone who has went through the claim process?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Charlie Farley]

The process can be difficult to be honest, depends on how you go about it, I suffer from it and have done for many , many years due to the nature of my work.
I was advised to go down the claims route a while back but decieded to leave it alone .
It comes and goes now so I just live with it, a bit like carpel tunnel , I had it in both hands and in the end had surgery on both back in 2005, it back again but not too bad.
same applies really, it goes with the job, and riding bikes all my life.

 

[QuattroCalum]

This is solely caused in the workplace, duty of care for the workforce is lax to say the least. I had a claim due to faulty equipment, insurance admitted liability straight away but the fault that caused the accident hasn’t been addressed , pretty pathetic


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Charlie Farley]

forgot to say, symptoms can be a lot worse in winter aswell due to colder weather , have you tried using specific gloves when using the saw, it does help to try and reduce the effects.

 

[Charlie Farley]

I think if that's the case you need to seek specialist advice chap, I know it can be along drawn out process aswell, good luck with it.

 

[Charlie Farley]

I know that the condition can take years to manifest itself and by which time it can be too late to get any compensation , and the company where one work's now may argue it wasn't their fault , and proving it was ,can be the problem.

 

[Charlie Farley]

I recall there was a big case years ago on the condition , a lot of british gas workers were diagnosed with the condition due to the continued exposure to vibration when using road breaking equipment etc when doing site work, not sure what the outcome was but it was a drawn out affair .
After it all came to light a lot of workers were found to be effected, also highlighted the problem to be rife across many workers in different jobs using a array of hand powered tools.

 

[QuattroCalum]

forgot to say, symptoms can be a lot worse in winter aswell due to colder weather , have you tried using specific gloves when using the saw, it does help to try and reduce the effects.

Food industry so any kind of decent gloves, not allowed.

I’ve worked in the same place for 21 years so I don’t think they can claim it’s not their fault.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Charlie Farley]

I'm no expert on the subject chap other than my own experiences , given your length of employ with the same company i'd say you had very good grounds for compensation but its a complicated procedure with a lot of loopholes for the employer to use to their benefit.
You would be best getting specialist legal advice on your case really as every case will be evaluated on it's own merits etc.
Anway, hope you get it sorted out.

rob

 

[Ghost]

Hi @QuattroCalum @Just Rob.
Take a look at this...
Trust Me, I’m a Doctor
Series 7: Episode 3

Start watching from 6 mins in.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09p2gmr/trust-me-im-a-doctor-series-7-episode-3

 

[Charlie Farley]

Thanks for that, my condition was diagnosed some years ago and was due to continued and excessive vibration , my continued , daily exposure to vibrations from powerered equipment over my many years .
Continous chainsaw use etc prior to the introduction of better handle insulation was the main cause along with strimmers etc, less of a problem these days as the operators have better insulation from vibrations due to handle and engine mounting improvements.
I still have issues on occasions but manage the condition myself , works for me.

 

[QuattroCalum]

Thanks for your replies
Wonder if you can get a thumbs up with a white thumb


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DieselJake]

Making a claim against a place you've worked for 21 years will take you out of a stable position and into a sticky situation where you will have to relate this job to something similar and will most likely not get a reference unless you already have another job lined up, need to look at this logically. If I was the employer I can think of (and would use) about ten different counter arguments, for starters you've been putting up with this 21 for years... better to go into this with your head rather than trying to grab easy cash and run.

 

[QuattroCalum]

Making a claim against a place you've worked for 21 years will take you out of a stable position and into a sticky situation where you will have to relate this job to something similar and will most likely not get a reference unless you already have another job lined up, need to look at this logically. If I was the employer I can think of (and would use) about ten different counter arguments, for starters you've been putting up with this 21 for years... better to go into this with your head rather than trying to grab easy cash and run.

This isn’t an ongoing industrial injury but a recent occurrence.
The workplace has a duty of care for their workers.
The claim would have no bearing on my employment as it’s the insurer that the claim would be against.
I have any number of people that would give me a glowing reference if the boss refused, which I doubt.
I have had a claim before and there has not been one word mentioned regarding that.
I appreciate you’re trying to help though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jonny B]

This isn’t an ongoing industrial injury but a recent occurrence.
The workplace has a duty of care for their workers.
The claim would have no bearing on my employment as it’s the insurer that the claim would be against.
I have any number of people that would give me a glowing reference if the boss refused, which I doubt.
I have had a claim before and there has not been one word mentioned regarding that.
I appreciate you’re trying to help though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This looks like Reynards Syndrome . Get checked that you don’t have an underlying condition By your Gp . This is naturally occurring a lot of people suffer from it especially in winter . Good luck .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[QuattroCalum]

This looks like Reynards Syndrome . Get checked that you don’t have an underlying condition By your Gp . This is naturally occurring a lot of people suffer from it especially in winter . Good luck .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reynauds syndrome would affect the whole hand, I’ve only ever experienced it in my forefinger which is the finger I use for the trigger on said saw.
Another contributing factor is the saw is supposed to hang from a spring balance but instead it’s carried/held while in use.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jonny B]

Reynauds syndrome would affect the whole hand, I’ve only ever experienced it in my forefinger which is the finger I use for the trigger on said saw.
Another contributing factor is the saw is supposed to hang from a spring balance but instead it’s carried/held while in use.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can assure you Raynauds does and can affect individual fingers. I suffer from it I’ve had it for years . See your GP can prescribe nifedipine to improve circulation. But you should have a blood test to be sure that it is not something more serious .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jonny B]

Individual digits

 

[Jake 61]

As a long time safety professional, any company who were to make a claimants position difficult due to a claim, would be in far more bother.
We had about a dozen instances of HAVS and every year, we used to issue the guy's affected with special gloves for wearing under their regular PPE. Working in the food industry shouldn't prevent the wearing of appropriate protection, for the significant risks encountered, or to protect against the worsening of a HAVS condition.
Also, any right minded employer must, by law, provide health screening. This should include checking for the symptoms of HAVS, industrial deafness, eyesight, and for anyone concerned in the use of solvents, weekly skin checks.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/health-surveillance/requirement/index.htm
Health screening is usually done by outside companies with experience in assessing what physical problems are encountered for a particular job, so they know what they are looking for.
From what I understand, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, is treated like all the other workplace induced disabilities and a claim is made against a collective of employers, not just the one. (In the case of somebody who has had several employers).
There are specialist firms who will take on cases like this, so no one should be scared to make a claim, if they are suffering.
Also, the HSE are notified of anyone suffering from HAVS, this is not to drop the company in the $hit, this is to ensure that the company changes it's work practices, so that nobody else has to suffer, what is a very painful and uncomfortable condition.
This is just one of many ailments, (Asbestosis, Deafness, Various Cancers), which are entirely preventable, if the proper controls are in place.
A lot of companies, and I have heard the argument, say that it "costs too much to put these controls in place".
But it costs a damned sight less than a lengthy claim through the courts, resulting in a big payout for damages, along with your company name being wrecked through negligence.

I'm not disputing that British Gas fell foul of the courts , but the National Coal Board were also hammered. Air tools causing HAVS, respiratory problems, due to the dust and industrial deafness.
The irony there is, the person at the helm when all of the problems started to come to the fore, was one Lord Alfred Robens, who was commissioned to write a report on industry self regulation. This was published in 1972 and led to the creation of the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, section 2.
Employers shall ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employee's, while at work, at all times.
(Or words pretty close to that effect).

 

[A19quattro]

I have very little experience of this but did know a guy who was a retired miner (Coal), he got visited by a union rep one day who suggested a claim. He didn't think he would get anything as after he worked in the pits he was a builders labourer for years and thought they may wriggle out of it and say it could have been caused by this rather than his time in the pits. The union processed the claim and he go paid out, seemed to be no bother.
I would get your claim in before Brexit and they start messing with workers rights though

 

[QuattroCalum]

Thanks guys, very informative/helpful


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[QuattroCalum]

I can assure you Raynauds does and can affect individual fingers. I suffer from it I’ve had it for years . See your GP can prescribe nifedipine to improve circulation. But you should have a blood test to be sure that it is not something more serious .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, I've been to the GP, he's in no doubt that it's white finger.

 

[Audi Bairn]

Well, I've been to the GP, he's in no doubt that it's white finger.

Sorry to hear about your condition Calum.
I'm no expert but, working in construction all my days, I've been in many safety courses covering this type of thing.
All this doesn't say much about your employers safety standards, as you've alluded to, nor the person(s) responsible for Health & Safety. Leaving themselves wide open to claims or prosecution and even worse putting employees at risk.
All the best with things mate.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Well, I've been to the GP, he's in no doubt that it's white finger.

If you do decide to go down the claims route, do not be surprised if several independent medical reports are request , sometimes just your GP's assesmant may not be good enough and a more specialised report may be required.

 

[THQuattro]

I get this white finger condition which started a couple of years ago and shows up when cold. I am a copier/printer engineer so mostly using a screw driver and hand tools, i showed the office girls once and they didn't think much of it. I was made redundant by this company in june 17 and they went insolvant and are under administration until june 18 but they are not in a good financial position and will probably go bust. Should i go to the doctors first and put in a claim. Thanks.

 

[Sandra]

Thanks for your replies
Wonder if you can get a thumbs up with a white thumb


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Closest I could get to a white thumbs up Calum

 

[QuattroCalum]

If you do decide to go down the claims route, do not be surprised if several independent medical reports are request , sometimes just your GP's assesmant may not be good enough and a more specialised report may be required.

As I said, I had a claim previously where an 85 kilo beef quarter fell from the overhead rail (12 feet up) onto my foot, no broken bones but severe bruising and plenty of pain. I was sent to a specialist in Glasgow for review and that was all that was required.
The insurance company didn't even try to deny liability.

 

[QuattroCalum]

Quarter landed on the bridge of my foot, bruised all the way through to the sole

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Charlie Farley]

I think your foot case is more clear cut as the injury can be clearly seen,very difficult for a company to dispute that injury chap, white is open to more challenges as the symptoms etc can be very similar to other similar conditions...

 

[Jake 61]

The tests to establish how much it has taken hold, are pretty standardised. You probably had the Doctor attack you with a pin, or needle and this will probably be carried out by your companies insurance provider's appointed Doctor.
This is far more common and widespread than it used to be, so insurers are well clued up with the checking process.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Agreed things have progressed a fair bit ,my GP diagnosed my condition straight away but I had to get two more diags , by the end of all the fuffing around I just gave up , I've managed it myself ever since, also at that time I didn't feel it was a good idea to start opening up whole new can of worms with the firm I worked for, just wasn't t worth the hassle ....