Nuclear Plant Worker Wins £35,000

A manual worker at a nuclear waste plant has won £35,000 in compensation for injuries he sustained as a result of working with vibrating tools.

The unnamed 49-year-old was a process worker at the Sellafield nuclear plant, where he had worked with vibrating tools since 1992. In 2003, he was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition which causes muscle weakness and numbness in the hands.

Eventually, the man’s condition became so bad that he was left with a restricted grip and had to undergo four operations. After his diagnosis, he was moved to a different department in the plant and is now able to carry out only restricted duties.

Because of his condition, he is no longer able to use his hands efficiently and still suffers from pain, especially in bed at night and during poor weather.

The man brought a personal injury claim against his employer, which had failed to warn him of the danger of the continued use of vibrating hand tools. The Sellafield plant did not admit liability for his injuries, but agreed to pay him compensation of £35,000.

Employers have a duty to monitor the health and safety of their workers and, if necessary, to change their working conditions to prevent harm. The risk of permanent injury associated with the repeated use of vibrating machinery is a known risk, first identified as such over 30 years ago.