Warehouse managers must act now to protect themselves against new breeds of occupational disease claims, warns Norwich Union Risk Services (NURS), as new regulations being introduced because of the EU Directive on Physical Agents (Vibration) will make it easier for employees to sue for damages.
The directive, currently out to consultation, is due to come into effect from 2006 and will require employers to identify where workers are at risk from whole body vibration (WBV) – a condition that can result in back pain and injury – and take active steps to reduce their exposure to a minimum level. Failure to comply will result in criminal prosecutions.
Teresa Budworth, training and consultancy manager at NURS, says:
