Workers with HAVS have significant upper extremity disability and musculoskeletal factors appear to make an important contribution to this disability.

Both the physical and the mental QOL in workers with HAVS were below Canadian population normal values and subjects' upper extremity pain score had the greatest effect on their QOL.

A case is described of peripheral sensory neuropathy in a woman who had daily exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane, used as a degreasing agent. Although previous reviews of the health effects of 1,1,1-trichloroethane have not indicated long-term neurotoxicity, there are recent animal studies that suggest chronic central neurotoxic effects and previous case reports of peripheral neuropathy in three exposed workers in one plant. Our case provides additional evidence that 1,1,1-trichloroethane exposure may be associated with peripheral sensory neuropathy. Reporting of similar cases is encouraged and investigation of the neurotoxic effects of 1,1,1-trichloroethane is recommended.

Workers with HAVS reported significant upper extremity work-related disability as measured by the DASH-W questionnaire, and the upper extremity pain score made the largest contribution to the DASH-W scores in these subjects.

The case histories of ten workers with Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) indicate that their predominant vibration exposure was to impact vibration. This association, recognized previously in pedestal grinders and in multiple hand tool users, should now be identified in spot welders and press operators. This will have important implications for compensation claimants as well as prevention development.