Vibration and the workplace

South Carolina employees and employers alike should be aware of the risks and dangers associated with excessive amounts of vibration in the workplace. It is the employer’s responsibility to respect and protect the health of their workers, and it is the duty of the employee to remain well informed about developing hazards in their workplace and to report them promptly to the proper authorities.

Vibration can cause substantial injury to the human body, especially if it is a strong vibration or it continues for a lengthy amount of time. Doctors have known for a long time that consistent vibration can cause impeded blood flow to the extremities. This was first noted with operators of stone-chipping machinery developed a condition known as Vibration White Finger Disease. In extreme cases, this necessitated the complete amputation of the fingertips.

Vibration is also known to cause carpal tunnel syndrome and lower back pain. Different types of vibrations cause different effects. For example, the category of vibration known as hand-arm vibration most often does damage to the fingers and arms. Whole-body vibration is more commonly known to harm structures such as the lower back.

All workplace injuries in the state of South Carolina should render the injured employee eligible for workers’ compensation. In addition to helping with medical bills, at least some substantial proportion of their pay should be maintained as they heal. However, some employers may deny that an injury is as bad as reported or that it was not related to the employment at all. In such cases, it may be helpful to consult with an attorney about methods to compel the employer to grant maximum benefits.