H.A.V.S - Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

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Vibration Exposure

Minimising, Managing and Monitoring your risk.

Hand Arm Vibration, or HAV’s, is a painful and disabling condition caused by power tools and machinery. If you regularly work with power tools, compactor plates, road saws and breakers, brush cutters, lawn mowers and hedge trimmers, or any other power tools, you could be at risk.

Here at Brandon Hire Station, we always try to supply you with low-vibration tools that are well maintained, along with expert advice and guidance. There are some simple measures you can take to protect yourself -

Make sure you buy or hire low-vibration tools and look after them
Always use sharp points, chisels and blades
Keep warm and keep your blood circulating by flexing your fingers and hands during breaks
Make sure you always use the right tool for the job

If you’re an employer, our nationwide team of HAV specialists can help you assess risk, then minimise or even prevent it, tailor-making guidance and solutions to your particular circumstances. And we have the largest database of independent field data, as well as the latest in HAV management systems, including -

Reactec HAV meter
The HAVi and HAVi Manager Compliance system
Toolminde

For a full breakdown of our fleet HAV specs Click Here

Managing Arm Vibrations

Successfully managing Hand Arm Vibration requires the support of a toll and equipment hirer who understands the way you work and is able to provide a range of practicable, common sense and innovative solutions. We meet this challenge through our combinations of a 'Buy-Smoot' procurement policy, our independently tested exposure data based on real working applications that enable accurate risks assessments, a nationwide network of highly trained HAV champions and the latest technology in HAV's management including the Havi and Reactec systems.

HAVi Hire Kit Available Online

Protect against HAV onsite with the HAVi Hire Kit, available to hire online.

Hand Arm Vibrations

Exposure Points System And Ready-Reckoner

The Ready-Reckoner table will help you calculate daily vibration exposure. All you need is the vibration magnitude (level) and exposure time. The ready-reckoner covers a range of vibration magnitudes up to 40 m/s2 and a range of exposure times up to 10 hours.

The exposures for different combinations of vibration magnitude and exposure time are given in exposure points instead of values in m/s2 A(8). You may find the exposure points easier to work with than the A(8) values:

exposure points change simply with time: twice the exposure time, twice the number of points;
exposure points can be added together, for example where a worker is exposed to two or more different sources of vibration in a day;
the exposure action value (2.5 m/s2 A(8)) is equal to 100 points;
the exposure limit value (5 m/s2 A(8)) is equal to 400 points.

HAVS - Basic Symptoms

To safeguard yourself or your workforce make sure everybody is on the lookout for the basic symptoms which could indicate HAVS.

Symptoms are:

Tingling (medically known as 'paraesthesia or commonly known as ‘pins & needles’)
Numbness in the arms and hands - particularly in your finger tips and around your knuckles
Struggling to use your hands to pick up or hold items such as buttons or coins etc

Useful Information

About Us

Brandon Hire Station is a major national provider of small tools, climate, lifting, safety, survey and press fitting equipment to industry, construction and homeowners throughout the UK. With over 200 tool hire shops, we are able to service both local and national customers across all UK mainland locations.

Brandon Hire Station customers have the opportunity to either deal on a local basis with our experienced managers and sales teams or through our national call centre in Manchester. Either way they have access to the most modern fleet within the industry with guaranteed availability on the most popular lines.

Brandon Hire Station’s award winning website gives customers the opportunity to order equipment online and access a suite of real time management information enabling an understanding of what they are spending by site and by business. Brandon Hire Station are asset management specialists that focus is on delivering the very best service to our customers.

Order & Collect

Our order and collect service is available on all orders placed online, on the phone or in the local branch. Please note local branch prices can differ from the website and you may not get the same special offers and prices as advertised on this site.

Our professional staff will show you how to use the machine in the branch, but please also note the hirer should collect so he / she knows how to use the equipment. If you are collecting from us on behalf of someone else, please be aware we cannot be held responsible for any operating errors or faults.

When collecting from a local Brandon Hire Station branch please make sure you take two forms of ID and one must be photographic. Brandon Hire Station may also require a deposit when you collect, so please ensure you take a credit card. Deposits will of course be returned when you return the item back to the branch.

You can return the equipment you hire to ANY Brandon Hire Station branch.

Payment Methods

When it comes to paying for your hire we have several methods in which you can pay for your equipment. We also include damage waiver to help protect you against bills for damaged equipment.

Monthly credit account: If you wish to hire frequently, the convenience of a monthly credit account, just complete the appropriate application form online. Your account will be up and running within 24 hours (subject to status).

Purchase cards: We welcome company purchase cards by all major banks.

Debit or credit cards: For advance payment we ask for a 2-week deposit and 2 forms of I.D. Your deposit is refunded on return of equipment.

All major cards accepted. For long term hires, charges are made at 2-week intervals.

Vibration Exposure

Managing Arm Vibrations