Concrete posts and similar products are often made on vibrating tables. A worker alleged that he had developed hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in this type of work.
The claimant suggested that his condition had specifically been caused by the use of vibrating tools – impact wrenches and pneumatic chisels, and also from handling floats and shovels used in smoothing and distributing the concrete.
Finch vibration exposure expert Timothy Ward conducted on-site vibration measurements and was able to establish the likely level of vibration exposure. It was found that the worker’s principal source of vibration exposure, on his evidence, was from holding the manual tools as they were brought into contact with concrete in moulds under vibration.
Tim was also able to advise the Court as to the foreseeability of risk of injury from this type of work.
