HAVS Claims — Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Compensation
Last reviewed: June 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and vibration white finger are prescribed industrial diseases caused by regular use of vibrating tools at work. EA Personal Injury Solicitors handles HAVS compensation claims on a no win, no fee basis.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- HAVS has vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal components — all taken into account in valuing your claim
- The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 impose duties on employers
- Three-year limitation period from date of knowledge
- Anti-vibration gloves alone do not satisfy the employer's duty
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
What Is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome?
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is an umbrella term for the range of conditions that can develop in the hands and arms of workers regularly exposed to hand-transmitted vibration from power tools. The syndrome has three main components:
- Vascular component — vibration white finger (VWF): episodic blanching (whitening) of one or more fingers triggered by cold. The condition is caused by damage to the small blood vessels supplying the fingers. In warm conditions, blood flow may be relatively normal; in the cold, spasm of the damaged vessels cuts off circulation, causing the affected fingers to turn white and then, on rewarming, blue and then red. This can be extremely painful.
- Neurological component (sensorineural): tingling, numbness and reduced sensation in the fingers, caused by damage to peripheral nerves. Workers may report reduced ability to feel small objects, difficulty with fine motor tasks, and persistent or intermittent "pins and needles".
- Musculoskeletal component: in more severe cases, joint damage, reduced grip strength and muscle weakening.
Employer Duties Under the Vibration Regulations
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to assess vibration risks, take action to eliminate or reduce vibration exposure, provide health surveillance, and inform and train workers. Where daily vibration exposure exceeds the Exposure Action Value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s² A(8), employers must introduce a programme of controls. Above the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) of 5.0 m/s² A(8), exposure must not continue. Appropriate steps include selecting lower-vibration tools, limiting daily tool use time, providing tool maintenance, introducing job rotation and warm working environments.
Industries Where HAVS Claims Arise
- Construction — road breaking, drilling, compacting
- Quarrying and mining — rock drilling, scaling
- Engineering — chipping, grinding, impact wrenches
- Forestry — chainsaw operation
- Agriculture — hedge trimmers, strimming equipment
- Gas and water utilities — pipe laying, roadworks
- Shipbuilding and repair — needle scaling, chipping
Medical Assessment and Staging
HAVS is assessed using the Stockholm Workshop Scale. Vascular staging ranges from Stage 1 (occasional mild blanching) to Stage 4 (severe attacks affecting most fingers with marked trophic changes). Neurological staging ranges from Stage 0SN (normal vibrotactile perception) to Stage 3SN (intermittent or persistent numbness reducing dexterity). The stage at diagnosis significantly affects the compensation value.
No Win, No Fee HAVS Claims
We act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. You pay nothing if the claim fails. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.