Most of us are aware of the risks from prolonged exposure to vibration in terms of using vibrating machinery and the danger of ‘vibration white finger’ or HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome), but if you work in off-road mobile machinery, agricultural vehicles or industrial trucks, or if you employ people to do so, you should be aware of the dangers and back-pain risks of whole-body vibration.
Every year over 5 million working days are lost due to back-pain caused or made worse by work. Mobile machine operators and drivers, and particularly those who work off-road are at increased risk for various reasons including:
- Poor design of controls, making it difficult for the driver to operate the machine or vehicle easily, or to see properly without twisting or stretching;
- Incorrect adjustment by the driver of the seat position and hand and foot controls, so that it is necessary to continually twist, bend, lean and stretch to operate the machine;
- Sitting for long periods without being able to change position;
- Poor driver posture;
- Repeated manual handling and lifting of loads by the driver;
- Excessive exposure to whole-body vibration, particularly to shocks and jolts;
- Repeatedly climbing into or jumping down from a high cab or one that is difficult to get in and out of.
The risk is significantly increased when the driver or operator is exposed to two or more of these risks.
What is whole-body vibration?
It is the shaking or jolting of the human body through a supporting surface; for example a seat or floor. It occurs in situations such as driving along an unmade road, operating earth-moving machines or standing on a structure attached to, or very close to, a fixed machine that is impacting or vibrating.
Who is most likely to suffer from it?
Whole-body vibration can affect anyone who works in construction, mining and quarrying machines and vehicles; particularly those such as scrapers, bulldozers and building site dumpers. Also people who drive tractors and other agricultural and forestry machines.
What if I am suffering from whole-body vibration?
If you or someone you know suffers from whole-body vibration, it’s possible you might be able to claim for compensation. Employers have a responsibility to minimise the risks of employees developing or increasing painful conditions, and they should have had procedures and systems in place to reduce the risk of vibrations as a whole. Contact one of our solicitors today to see how we can help.