Hand–arm vibration syndrome is a complex condition.
Assessment and validation of symptoms is
fraught with complications; individuals may overreport
symptoms in the hope of compensation
whilst other may under-report for fear of redundancy
and loss of earnings. Investigations to corroborate
symptoms are not consistently reliable and have
poor specificity and sensitivity for detecting HAVS.
Employers have a legal responsibility to train and
monitor employees at risk of developing HAVS and
yet, despite HSE guidelines and protective measures,
many workers still develop symptoms. Risk reduction,
prevention and early detection of symptoms
offer the best chance of symptomatic control and
health professionals have a responsibility to be
alert to HAVS as it can present under many guises.