Originally Posted by sWe

Thanks... I read about a guy who used a jackhammer every day for about 5 years, without even gloves, and the nerves in his hands got so damaged, they felt like, and behaved like, gelatinous lumps. He couldn't even grab a pencil.

That's an extreme case, but if one's not careful, arthritis or loss of sensation is quite possible.

Here's something I found for you brits: Health and Safety Executive PDF on hand-arm vibrations