But he says the problem is still something of a silent epidemic, with many victims unaware of their condition, how it occurred, and what to do about it. It's a serious concern, says Wasserman, because once exposed to steady vibration on the job, symptoms can appear within as little as a year's time. Once the chronic, progressive disorder passes its early stages, the effects are irreversible. Still, HAVS has not received the publicity given to other ergonomic-related ills, such as back injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Many workers see the telltale signs of whitened fingers and numbness and attribute it to aging.
Plus, symptoms don't usually occur when a worker visits a physician. Expert advice Wasserman has spent recent years criss-crossing the country trying to make managers, supervisors, and employees more aware of the deleterious effects of repeated exposure to vibration on the job. First, be aware of the symptoms, he says. Early signs include tingling or numbness of fingers that persistently flares up, and occurs without immediate exposure to vibration. Cold weather often triggers this flare up, which can last for five to ten minutes.