If you experienced an accident on the job, you know that construction injuries can occur in the blink of an eye. However, many injuries take years to develop—usually as a result of doing the same actions day after day.
Vibration white finger is just one of many injuries that affect workers who regularly use vibrating machinery or handheld power tools. Over time, repetitive use of chainsaws, jigsaws, jackhammers, and power drills can cause poor circulation in the fingers, affecting a worker’s sense of touch and causing the fingers to appear white.
Vibration injury in NJ construction workers is not merely a passing condition. The jarring impact of the machinery can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the hands, leading to a collection of conditions known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Over years of employment, construction workers can suffer many minor nerve injuries that add up to permanent problems with the fingers and hands.
Since these injuries can permanently affect a worker’s ability to earn a living, employers have a duty to reduce the risks of industrial disease caused by vibration. Some of these precautions include:
- Providing mandatory training courses on how to use vibrating tools safely
- Offering tools with added safety measures, such as ergonomic grips and thicker handles
- Ensuring that tools are clean and receive regular maintenance
- Providing workers with anti-vibration gloves
- Making sure that employees who use vibrating machinery take regular breaks
The law team at Manfred F. Ricciardelli, Jr. has seen far too many employers fail to take responsibility for the safety of their workers, leading to serious injury and even a permanent inability to earn a living. If your vibration injury could have been prevented by health and safety measures, your employer could be liable for the costs of your injury and the loss of your future income.
To find out what you could be owed for your Morristown work accident injury, call us today at (877) 360-0183 to get a FREE consultation with an attorney. You can also click the link on this page to download our FREE electronic book, What the Injured Worker Needs to Know: Your Workers’ Comp Guide.