Pins and needles in arm/ hand & vibrating tool use
Discussion
I've worked in metal fabrication for the past twelve years, and in the past couple of years felt some fatigue/ strain in my hand from long periods of polishing/ sanding. I had yearly health checkups as part of my job but never mentioned it as I thought it was fatigue and nothing else. Last month I changed employer and I'm now doing a lot more repair work, which means that I'm pretty much constantly using angle grinders.
Whereas at my old job we had specialist saws for cutting, my new job is a tiny company with very little equipment - even 8 foot sheets of metal and plate have to be cut with an angle grinder. In the couple of weeks I've been having pins and needles in my right arm and hand, even while resting at home, during the night etc. plus my arm feels weaker and is painful when using it (e.g. today when trying to cut my dinner up).
Obviously working in manufacturing I'm well aware of HAVS and white finger syndrome, although I'm not saying I definitely have this, I did assume that this kind of thing happened to older people with decades in heavy industry - I'm only 28. I'm going to go to the doctor about it ASAP and I'm planning on changing my job again anyway as it's not really working out, but can anyone offer any other advice? Has anyone suffered from these symptoms working in this industry? I'm just wondering if it will go away if I stop using these tools or if it might be permanent.
Thanks
Whereas at my old job we had specialist saws for cutting, my new job is a tiny company with very little equipment - even 8 foot sheets of metal and plate have to be cut with an angle grinder. In the couple of weeks I've been having pins and needles in my right arm and hand, even while resting at home, during the night etc. plus my arm feels weaker and is painful when using it (e.g. today when trying to cut my dinner up).
Obviously working in manufacturing I'm well aware of HAVS and white finger syndrome, although I'm not saying I definitely have this, I did assume that this kind of thing happened to older people with decades in heavy industry - I'm only 28. I'm going to go to the doctor about it ASAP and I'm planning on changing my job again anyway as it's not really working out, but can anyone offer any other advice? Has anyone suffered from these symptoms working in this industry? I'm just wondering if it will go away if I stop using these tools or if it might be permanent.
Thanks
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hand-arm-vibration...
With your symptoms and history, best to mitigate the risk if possible.
With your symptoms and history, best to mitigate the risk if possible.
Mercury00 said:
None at all, it's a tiny company run on a budget of next to nothing. No tools, no overalls. I only took the job to tide me over until I found somewhere I can settle down at.
How many employees?I will take a guess that these tools also make a lot of noise. Any hearing protection at all?
I guess if you are seen to rock the boat and request Risk Assessments, PPE, etc. your days are numbered?
55palfers said:
How many employees?
I will take a guess that these tools also make a lot of noise. Any hearing protection at all?
I guess if you are seen to rock the boat and request Risk Assessments, PPE, etc. your days are numbered?
Two others doing the same role as me and about five more doing spray painting. Ear plugs and defenders are provided and I have my own hearing and eye protection which I wear at all times, but I'm the only one wearing the stuff. The painters don't even wear masks half the time and walk around with brightly coloured nostrils! I don't necessarily think I'd be sacked for it as I know the boss from years ago, more likely he'd just laugh it off. It's just the way of the small company really - every one I've worked at has been the same.I will take a guess that these tools also make a lot of noise. Any hearing protection at all?
I guess if you are seen to rock the boat and request Risk Assessments, PPE, etc. your days are numbered?
Or Vibration White Finger - some graphic posters in my GP's surgery...
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hand-arm-vibration...
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hand-arm-vibration...
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