Vibration white finger and non-negligent exposure

A woman suffered outbreaks of coldness and numbness in the index figure of her left hand whilst using electrically driven vibrating hand tools in the course of her employment between March 1993 and March 1994. Bearing in mind the research information and guidance available from about late 1991, the trial Judge held that her employer should have arranged medical examinations at which questions designed to discover any symptoms of vibration white finger (VWF) were put. The company should also have specifically warned employees about the risks of developing VWF from the use of vibratory tools.