Vibration Injury Claims (White Finger & Carpal Tunnel)

If you’ve developed hand pain, numbness, tingling, or loss of grip from using vibrating tools at work, you’re not alone—and you’re not to blame. Conditions like Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Vibration White Finger, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are more common than many realise, especially in jobs that involve drills, grinders, jackhammers, or similar equipment.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve been helping workers across Tallaght and Dublin for over 20 years—people who’ve been let down by unsafe practices, poor training, or neglected health and safety standards. We know the signs of these injuries, and we know how they can affect your hands, your work, and your life.

If you’re feeling unsure about what to do next, we’re here to help. You’ll speak directly with a solicitor who’ll listen to your story, explain your options clearly, and guide you every step of the way. Contact us to get started.

What Are Vibration Injuries and How Do They Develop Over Time?

Vibration injuries are long-term conditions that develop from repeated exposure to vibrating tools or machinery. These injuries affect the nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues in the hands, wrists, and arms—and often begin without warning.

In Ireland, they are most common among people working with power tools, construction equipment, groundskeeping machinery, or repetitive hand-based work. But they are also among the most under-recognised and under-reported injuries in the workplace.

The Three Main Conditions

Most vibration-related injuries fall under one of the following:

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS):A condition caused by long-term exposure to hand-transmitted vibration. It results in pain, numbness, tingling, loss of grip strength, and can progress to permanent disability if untreated.
Vibration White Finger (VWF):A form of secondary Raynaud’s disease. It restricts blood supply in the fingers, leading to blanching (white fingers), followed by painful throbbing or colour changes when circulation returns. It typically flares up in cold temperatures or damp weather.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS):Compression of the median nerve within the wrist, often linked to both repetitive tasks and vibration exposure. Symptoms include numbness, pins and needles, wrist pain, and weakness in the thumb and first two fingers.

These injuries often overlap, especially in workers who have used vibrating tools for many years.

Gradual Onset, Permanent Damage

One of the defining features of vibration injuries is that they don’t appear overnight. Instead, symptoms build up slowly:

At first, a worker may feel mild tingling after using a tool.
Later, the tingling might last longer or appear even without vibration.
Eventually, the fingers may feel numb, weak, or painfully cold during routine tasks.
Over time, dexterity is lost, grip strength diminishes, and fine motor control becomes difficult.

In advanced cases, symptoms persist even at rest—and can permanently affect the ability to work or perform daily tasks.

Because symptoms often seem minor at first, many workers continue using tools without recognising the risk. By the time they speak to a GP, damage may already be done.

Why Early Recognition Is Critical

If caught early, progression can sometimes be halted with medical support and by removing exposure. But in too many cases, employers dismiss early complaints—or the worker assumes it’s just part of the job.

Without early intervention, these injuries can become irreversible.

Many of our clients tell us they blamed themselves or thought they were just “getting older.” But this isn’t about age—it’s about repeated exposure without proper protection. And if your work caused it, you may be entitled to support and redress.

How Vibration Injuries Happen in Irish Workplaces

Vibration injuries don’t just happen—they build up over time through repeated, preventable exposure in certain kinds of work. Across Ireland, these conditions most commonly affect people in construction, groundworks, utilities, landscaping, local authority services, and manufacturing roles. The risk is particularly high when workers use vibrating tools daily, for long stretches, with little or no protection.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve seen how these injuries happen—up close, over years of supporting people whose jobs involve real graft. Below is a look at where and how these injuries arise.

Jobs Where Vibration Injuries Are Most Common

You may be at risk if your role involves regular use of vibrating equipment, especially in jobs like:

Construction and demolition (using breakers, grinders, or compactors)
Road maintenance and tarmac laying
Utility installation and trench work
Local council operations—bin collection, street cleaning, maintenance
Landscaping and tree cutting (chainsaws, hedge trimmers)
Manufacturing lines (power tools, sanding, riveting, drilling)
Quarry and plant work (heavy equipment, hammer drills)

These jobs don’t always feel “dangerous” in the way scaffolding or roofing might—but the long-term toll on the hands, wrists, and nerves can be just as serious.

Common Tools That Cause Long-term Harm

Certain tools carry higher vibration levels and are more likely to cause injury over time. These include:

Jackhammers and pneumatic breakers
Angle grinders and disc cutters
Power drills and impact wrenches
Compactors, whacker plates, and concrete pokers
Chainsaws, strimmers, hedge cutters
Sanders, polishers, chipping hammers, and needle guns

The longer the tool is in use each day, the greater the cumulative exposure. Even five to ten minutes of high-vibration tool use per hour can exceed the Health and Safety Authority’s (HSA) daily exposure limit.

How Workplace Conditions Worsen the Risk

It’s not just the tools—it’s how, where, and for how long they’re used that makes the difference.

Vibration injury risk increases sharply in workplaces where:

Tools are old, unbalanced, or poorly maintained
No job rotationis in place—workers do the same vibrating task all day
No rest breaksare provided or respected
No anti-vibration glovesor protective gear is issued
Cold or damp conditionsare ignored, increasing the risk of white finger symptoms
Supervisors dismiss early complaintsas “just wear and tear”

Sometimes, workers are even pressured to “push through” when symptoms start. Unfortunately, many don’t realise how serious the condition is until it’s too late.

Normalising Discomfort

The effects of a vibration injury don’t stop when the tool is switched off. For many of our clients, the hardest part isn’t just the pain or numbness—it’s what that loss of function means for their work, their independence, and their daily routine.

Life After a Vibration Injury: What Clients Tell Us

At Work: Everything Becomes Slower, Harder, Riskier

One of the first things people notice is that tasks they’ve done for years suddenly become difficult—or dangerous. You might:

Drop tools or lose your grip unexpectedly
Struggle to hold onto items with any weight or vibration
Be unable to work in cold conditions due to pain or circulation issues
Avoid certain tools altogether for fear of worsening the injury
Take longer breaks or finish the day feeling completely drained

Many clients tell us they’ve been moved to lighter duties—or removed from site work entirely. Others have left the job they trained in for years because their hands simply can’t manage the strain anymore.

It’s not just physical—it’s emotional. There’s a loss of pride, routine, and the role you’ve played in your team or trade. It can feel like you’ve lost part of your identity.

At Home: Even Simple Tasks Become Challenging

For some, the injury follows them home. It’s not just about work—it’s about tying shoelaces, opening jars, gripping a steering wheel, or holding your child’s hand.

Clients describe:

Waking at night with tingling or numbness
Struggling to write, button a shirt, or hold a fork
Feeling self-conscious shaking hands or dropping things in public
Needing help with jobs they used to manage easily

The loss of hand strength and dexterity is exhausting—and for many, it’s permanent.

You’re Not Imagining It

We hear the same phrases time and again: “I thought I was just getting older.” “I didn’t want to make a fuss.” “I thought it was just the cold.”

But when these symptoms are caused by repeated exposure to vibration at work, they’re not something you just have to live with. They’re injuries. And you deserve support.

What Employers Are Supposed to Do—And Often Don’t

Under Irish health and safety law, employers have a legal duty to assess the risks of vibration exposure in the workplace—and to act on that information. Unfortunately, many don’t. Over the years, we’ve worked with clients from across Tallaght and Dublin whose symptoms were preventable, had their employer taken proper steps.

Here’s what should have happened—and what often doesn’t.

Employers’ Duties Under Irish Law

If you’re using vibrating tools, your employer is required to:

Assess the vibration levelof tools and how long they’re used
Monitor each worker’s daily exposureagainst legal thresholds
Introduce control measures—such as task rotation, breaks, and low-vibration alternatives
Provide proper trainingon safe tool use and early symptoms of HAVS or carpal tunnel
Supply personal protective equipment, like anti-vibration gloves (though gloves alone aren’t enough)
Keep recordsof tool use, complaints, and actions taken
Refer you for occupational health checksif you report symptoms

These are not optional. Employers must take action long before symptoms appear—and even more urgently once complaints are raised.

Where Employers Often Fail

We regularly see breaches such as:

No exposure assessmentdone at all—especially in smaller firms or subcontractor teams
Old or unmaintained toolsthat vibrate far more than they should
Failure to acton early reports—blaming cold weather or age
No rotation system, even for workers using high-vibration tools all day
Lack of basic training, or generic safety videos with no vibration-specific advice
Supervisors dismissing concerns, telling workers to “get on with it” or “take a painkiller”
Missing documentation, making it harder for injured workers to prove what happened

In some cases, workers were actively discouraged from reporting symptoms, for fear of being taken off the job or seen as a liability.

If your employer didn’t carry out proper checks or ignored the signs, they may be legally responsible for your injury. You didn’t cause this. And you’re not expected to suffer through it without help.

Who Can Bring a Claim

Many people with vibration injuries hesitate to seek help because they’re no longer in the same job—or they’re unsure when or where the injury started. The good news is that you may still have a valid claim, even if you’ve changed employers, moved into a different line of work, or recently retired.

It’s Not Just Full-Time Staff

You don’t need to be on a permanent, full-time contract to bring a claim. You may be eligible if you were:

If your job involved repeated use of vibrating tools, and you’ve developed symptoms that affect your hands, wrists, or arms, you may have a case—regardless of your current work status.

Claims Against Past Employers

Vibration injuries often take years to develop. Many clients only realise the damage when symptoms become hard to ignore—long after they’ve moved on. That doesn’t mean the opportunity to act is gone.

If several jobs contributed to the injury, it’s possible to bring a claim against more than one employer. Each may bear a portion of responsibility depending on the length of time you worked, the tools you used, and the precautions (or lack thereof) they took.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Injured by Vibration at Work

If you’re starting to notice numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands or wrists—and you’ve used vibrating tools as part of your job—it’s important to take action. Even if the symptoms seem mild or come and go, early steps can protect your health and your future.

1. See Your GP

Make an appointment with your doctor and describe all symptoms clearly, including when they began and what kind of tools or tasks you’ve been doing at work. Ask about a referral to occupational health or a specialist if needed. A formal diagnosis of HAVS, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or Vibration White Finger strengthens your position, but it’s not essential to seek advice from a solicitor.

2. Keep a Symptom Diary

Write down when symptoms appear, how long they last, and how they affect your day. Note tasks that make them worse (like using tools, driving, or typing). This creates a timeline and supports your case if you decide to move forward.

3. Inform Your Employer in Writing

If you’re still working, report the issue to your manager or health and safety contact. Be specific. Keep a copy of the message for your records. If you’re no longer employed there, try to note dates and tools used as best you can.

4. Don’t Delay Seeking Legal Advice

Even if you’re unsure about claiming, a short consultation with a solicitor can clarify your rights and protect any future claim. The sooner you act, the easier it is to gather evidence and ensure your case is heard in time. You’ve looked after your work for years—it’s time to make sure someone’s looking after you.

Time Limits for Making a Vibration Injury Claim in Ireland

In Ireland, you typically have two years to bring a vibration injury claim—but that time doesn’t always start from the date of exposure. Instead, the clock usually begins from the date of knowledge: when you first became aware (or should reasonably have known) that your symptoms were work-related.

This is especially important for conditions like HAVS or Carpal Tunnel, which often develop gradually over time. If you’re unsure when the clock started in your case, speak to a solicitor without delay. It costs nothing to ask—and it could make all the difference to your ability to claim.

Speak to a Solicitor Who Understands Vibration Injury and Manual Work

If you’re struggling with numbness, pain, or grip loss from years of tool use, contact John O’Leary Solicitors LLP today. We’ll listen, explain your options, and help you take the next step with confidence. You’ll speak directly to a solicitor who knows the work—and knows how to help.