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Hand Arm Vibration

The vibration caused by prolonged use of hand-held power tools can lead to permanent health effects.

This exposure to vibration is most likely when frequent use of a vibrating tool is a regular part of a person’s job. Occasional exposure is unlikely to cause ill health.

Such regular and frequent exposure to vibration can lead to a serious disorder known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). This is actually a debilitating range of conditions which includes painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves and joints and it can also lead to the loss of fine motor function in the fingers and hands. Vibration can also cause other specific diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

In 2005 the Government introduced regulations to protect employees from the health effects of vibration they encounter during their work.

What is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome?

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome is a term used to describe a group of conditions. It was previously known as ‘vibration white finger’ which describes the main symptom displayed in sufferers. The blanching appearance in the fingers and hands is created by poor blood circulation which destroys blood vessels and tissue. HAVS is a debilitating and painful disease that can also lead to the loss of fine motor function in the fingers and hands. HAVS is also exacerbated by the cold.

How is it caused?

HAVS is generally caused by the repeated use of hand-held vibrating tools. Examples include pneumatic road breaking tools and hand-guided equipment such as powered lawnmowers. It can also be caused by gripping materials being processed by machines such as pedestal grinders.

The way an operator holds the equipment, the length of time they use it, the frequency of their breaks and the temperature of their surroundings are all significant factors in determining the susceptibility of an individual. However there are many more factors relating to the equipment itself, including the magnitude, frequency, direction and pattern (continuous or intermittent) of the vibration.

What are the Symptoms?

Identifying the signs and symptoms of HAVS at an early stage is crucial. The earlier that action is taken to reduce the exposure of an employee the more likely it is that the severity of the health effects can be reduced. The symptoms can include any combination of:

• Attacks of whitening (blanching) of one or more fingers when exposed to cold.
• Tingling and loss of sensation in the fingers.
• Loss of light touch.
• Pain and cold sensations between periodic white finger attacks.
• Loss of grip strength in the hands.

Symptoms can appear after weeks, months or years of exposure. They are likely to get worse with continued exposure to vibration and may become permanent.

What Should I Do?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) require companies to take the following steps to reduce instances of HAVS:

• Measure – Quantify the vibration exposure of your employees. Depending on your company’s use of hand tools, this can be by a full programme of measurement or by a desktop assessment.
• Mitigate – Take all reasonable steps to reduce the vibration exposure of your staff either by using low vibration tools, or by reducing the amount of time they are in that workplace.
• Monitor – Monitor your employee’s health and vibration exposure over time to try and spot any damage at an early stage.

What are the Regulations?

The regulations are the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

These regulations require employers to take necessary steps to reduce the exposure of employees to excessive levels of vibration. These steps include:

• Assessing the vibration risk to their employees.
• Taking action to reduce the vibration exposure that produces those risks.

These Regulations also require an employer to take specific action when the daily vibration exposure reaches certain action values.

What will we do?

We will ensure that your company has done all it can to ensure it has fulfilled all its obligations to its employees. Our approach is detailed and comprehensive, providing your firm with the tools it needs to protect its staff.

Our Approach

Many consultants will assess the vibration exposure of your employees. Our approach is to assess the needs of your business and your employees and provide you with a solution that is truly tailored to your vibration problems.

The assessment of workplace vibration is important; get it wrong and you may find that you have not only exposed your staff to avoidable health risks, you have also exposed your company to the risk of enforcement action by the Health and Safety Executive and fines by the courts.

In More Detail

Firstly we do the following to assess the situation:

1. We take vibration measurements at the grip positions of all relevant items of plant or equipment being used by your employees.
2. We interview each relevant employee (or they complete a short questionnaire). This is to quantify what vibration they are typically exposed to during a normal working day.
3. We calculate their vibration exposure over a normal working day.

Our work will quantify for you whether the daily vibration exposure of your employees reaches their action values and, if so, we can then advise you on the actions you should take to reduce their exposure and reduce the risk.

Vibration control is often not a simple process. There are many products on the market that suggest they can reduce the vibration exposure of employees. Many of these are ineffective.

Our assessments identify not only the vibration exposure of employees, they also identify any vibration control measures that can be put in place, taking account of all the practical and operational needs of the company.

Our recommendations take account of the practicalities of your company’s operations. We can provide guidance on correct use of tools, the procurement of replacement low vibration tools and how to ensure continued compliance with the regulations once our assessment is complete.

All the information contained on this page is available to download as a PDF file below.

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