Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
What is hand arm vibration?
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) can affect anyone who is
exposed to any working machinery that vibrates. The most commonly
known form is called vibration white finger, but other forms can
damage blood vessels in the fingers, reducing the supply of blood.
It can also damage nerves, leading to a loss of feeling in the
fingers and hands, reducing the sufferer's ability to grip, coupled
with extreme pain.
How to minimise the risks
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 introduced
statutory limits on exposure of workers to vibration. Employers are
required to assess and manage the risk to their workforce's health
and provide suitable equipment that is designed to limit the
exposure level of vibration. Guidelines for minimising the risk of
vibration include:
- Seek alternatives to using equipment which vibrates
- Do not exert too much grip pressure when holding the tool
- Ensure the equipment is maintained and in good working order,
with a valid test certificate
- Make sure the tool you select is suitable for the task it is
used for
- Look out for specially designed low-vibration equipment
- Keep all attachments sharp, including drill bits, points and
chisels
- Use protective clothing, especially on the hands to keep them
warm
- Ensure that regular breaks are taken, and that the employees
exercise their fingers.
How to manage the risks
|
GREEN |
(low risk) |
0-5m/s2 |
Tools
can be used up to 8 hours
|
|
AMBER: |
(medium risk) |
5-10m/s2 |
2
hours max daily usage without further assessment
|
|
RED |
(high risk) |
Over
10m/s2 |
|
Specific assessment is recommended |
The vibration magnitude of a tool can be measured by taking the
sum of the vibration in 3 axes, and is represented by a value in
metres per second squared. The most accurate figures are those
produced from 'real-life' testing by establishments such as OPERC.
Established at Loughborough University, OPERC is a non-profit
making independent body dedicated to sharing information gained
from research. OPERC also exists to assist in the promotion of
plant and equipment science. Please click here to download
and print a summary of the OPERC test results.
A simple indicator of the vibration risk from hand tools is the
traffic light system of colour coding, designed to give guidance to
distinguish low, medium and high risk products (see table).
However, Hire Station recommends the use of the points system
introduced by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The vibration
calculator on HSE's web-site (www.hse.gov.uk/vibration) enables you to keep a
tally of the points an operator has amassed during any working day,
using a variety of tools.
This will enable operators and supervisors to quickly know how
many points they have amassed.
The HSE recommends that the Exposure Action Value (EAV) should
not exceed 100 points in any one day; the Exposure Limit Value
(ELV) must not exceed 400 points in a day, but steps should be
taken to remove operators from jobs if they exceed 100 points
regularly.
Hire Station has produced a generic information chart,
incorporating both the traffic light and HSE points systems, giving
you a quick reference point, no matter which system you are
using.
How to monitor the risks
When managing vibration risks, it is imperative to keep records
of all exposure in order to protect both the employee and employer.
A simple log sheet can be maintained for each employee, showing
their daily exposure levels in points. This very quickly builds up
into a personal record that both parties can keep, and will provide
an exposure history for all employees, which will stay with them
wherever they go in the future..
Hire Station can supply a vibration monitor and limiter, such as
the HAV-SAFE TM unit. This can calculate the amount of points the
user is amassing during a working day whilst using a variety of
tools, and will actually switch off the tool if the Exposure Limit
Value for the operator is ever reached. One advantage of the
HAV-SAFE is that it provides on the job figures, so a worker can
predict and plan his jobs for a day, aiming to keep below 100
points on all occasions. Another advantage of this unit is that, as
it is based purely on trigger time, as opposed to estimated time,
productivity can be greatly increased. This ensures, with good
monitoring, that no one will be regularly exposed to dangerous
levels of vibration.
Hire Station Policy
Hire Station recognises its responsibility in helping to reduce
the vibration magnitude and noise levels experienced by our
customers. In the first instance, we will always seek alternatives
to using equipment that vibrates. If this is not possible, we aim
to provide items for hire whose manufacturers have taken active
steps to reduce the exposure risk to the user.
It is our policy to ensure that the tools you hire from us are
supplied.
- Fit for purpose, in that we ensure that you use the right tool
for the right job
- In good working order and regularly maintained
- With relevant information to assist you when assessing
vibration and noise risks
- With reduced risk of contracting HAVS, through responsible
equipment sourcing and supply
- Able to be measured and limited by specialist equipment, as
part of an ongoing management process
Hire Station and You
Health and Safety is the No.1 priority for us, and we aim to
keep you fully informed and up-to-date on all information relating
to vibration and other safety matters.
We are heavily involved in ensuring that the vibration figures for
tools within our fleet are accurate, and we are insisting that all
such tools are independently tested, in order to provide
transparent, non-biased readings.
Hire Station is here to work with you on any area of safety that
you are tackling. We believe that creating partnerships with our
customers is the only way forward, where we can share and solve any
problems together. We have already shown that we are actively
seeking low vibration solutions at every stage of the supply chain,
so please ask us to help you with Minimising,
Managing and Monitoring your risk.
Download our full PDF
guide to Hand Arm Vibration here.
For further details of Hav ratings you can also visit
the Operc website where details
of the Hav rating for many tools can be found.