CAMPAIGN Health and safety


Members are at risk from a serious health issue ‘‘


We need to ensure similar health and safety prevention measures for HAVS in the construction sector are in place in food processing, to prevent the increasing number of [hand and arm] damages we find in


the sector Iulian Firea, Unite convenor 2 Sisters


A Unite rep working in meat processing is raising concerns about the high level of illness related to vibration and repetitive work practices across the sector and calling for more to be done to protect workers.


Iuilan Firea, Unite convenor, works at 2 Sisters in West Bromwich and says that the work and equipment in the sector is causing large numbers of workers to experience painful health problems like hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and trigger finger.


18 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2026


These conditions occur when the vibration from mechanical equipment is transmitted into the hands and arms of the user and can be disabling if ignored.


Hand-arm vibration syndrome affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm and includes vibration white finger, which can cause severe pain in the affected fingers.


CTS is similar and a nerve disorder which may involve pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in parts of the hand and can be caused by exposure to vibration.


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