Labour Research September 2004

Health & Safety Matters

Vibration payouts

More workers harmed by vibration exposure are to be eligible for government compensation.

The department for Work and Pensions has announced changes to the prescription of Prescribed Disease A11 (PD A11), commonly known as vibration white finger.

The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) has recommended widening the terms of prescription of VWF to include severe symptoms such as tingling or numbness.

Previously, only those with vascular symptoms (which caused a blanching of the fingers) could claim benefit.

Hand-arm vibration syndrome, a report by the IIAC, can be downloaded from www.iiac.org.uk/HAVSTSO4.pdf