Pins and needles in arm/ hand & vibrating tool use

[Mercury00]

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

[hidetheelephants]

The effects are cumulative and permanent AFAIK, better get it checked out.

[BadRotorFinger]

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hand-arm-vibration...

With your symptoms and history, best to mitigate the risk if possible.

[Sowler]

I had this when I was doing some labouring for a couple of months and was using a 14kg Hammer Drill demolishing an exterior skin wall for extended periods of time on and off. Once I'd finished the job the symptoms stopped after a few days. I'm also a similar age.

[Mercury00]

Thanks for the replies, I've been away all weekend so apologies for not replying sooner. I'm definitely looking to change job ASAP and see a doctor about it. It's been my days off work since Thursday and the symptoms seem to be persisting so far.

[55palfers]

Sorry to hear this - get and see you GP asap.

What measures has your employer taken to reduce the onset of HAVS?

Health surveillance, tool selection, job rotation - anything?

[Mercury00]

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.

[55palfers]

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?

[Mercury00]

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.

[ObSene]

Could be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrom...

[Riley Blue]

Or Vibration White Finger - some graphic posters in my GP's surgery...

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hand-arm-vibration...