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“The regulations and safety regime that golf clubs, for example, implement are seen as a hindrance by some staff members”


risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training is set at 80 decibels. An exposure limit value of 87 decibels


takes into account any reduction in exposure that hearing protection provides, Hoyle adds. “The Control of Vibration at Work


Regulations 2005 introduced action and limit values for hand-arm and whole- body vibration,” he continues. For HAV, the regulations introduced an exposure action value of 2.5m/s2


A(8) (metres per


second squared - average 8 hours use per day), at which level employers should introduce technical and organisational measures to reduce exposure, while the limit value of 5.0m/s2


A(8) should not be


exceeded. “The regulations allow a transitional period until 2010 for the exposure limit value for hand-arm vibration to come into force. This is to allow work activities, where the use of older tools and machinery cannot keep exposures below the limit value, to comply,” he points out. Jeremy Hoyle talks of major concerns, which he believes need to be addressed when using machinery. “One of the most pressing concerns is, if equipment is not serviced and maintained on a regular basis, the vibration level can, and usually does, increase.” “Also, using products that are not of a good quality can also increase vibration, as well as noise in some cases. The requirement for correct provision of PPE and checks to ensure that operators wear it and look after it correctly is paramount.”


The company hopes to help address such issues with its Toolminder software, said to make machine safety easier for the industry to manage and allowing sites to select more confidently the correct PPE for their needs. “We have compiled over 14,000 test statistics from testing work carried out in the UK and Europe under actual working conditions, so our clients can have accurate data on hand,” says Hoyle. “When we test a machine with clients, we always carry the testing process out in realistic conditions, with at least one of the end users and on the type of terrain they will be working on, which allows our data to be as accurate as possible.” Those who shun the notion that HAV


is an issue in groundcare, should take note of the survey Fivesquared conducted late last year. Results indicated that most golf clubs and organisations within the fine turf industry were not doing nearly as much as they should be. Their findings revealed that, on average, one in two golf clubs didn’t think they had a problem with HAV at all. A worrying statistic for sure.


Pain in the pocket


Hoyle crystallises the stark implications of such a lack of awareness of the dangers. “A recent court case with a club in the Midlands was settled when an employee claimed for white finger and was awarded more than £15,000, demonstrating not only how important safety is for the health of employees, but also how costly it can prove to be when the rules are flouted.” “Safety regulations are ultimately there


to protect employers and employees,” he adds. “Health and safety has to work for the organisation implementing the regulations, sometimes though these are open to interpretation. All staff members should want to work in the safest way possible but, sometimes, the regulations and safety regime that golf clubs, for example, implement are seen as a hindrance by some staff members, and this should not be the case.” The reality is that a wealth of free or


inexpensive advice is available that Hoyle says “could help rid much of the confusion in the industry”. “We have carried out full vibration management programmes nationwide for a number of clubs who take health and safety seriously and want to offer full protection to their employees. Putting a system in place also protects the golf club from claims and may reduce insurance premiums. A ‘full system’ can cost as little as £400-500 depending on the number of tools and equipment used on site,” Hoyle says.


Finger of blame


White finger remains a persistent problem in the industry, according to Hoyle. “The fact is, no effective PPE exists for it. Several glove manufactures claim that their product will help prevent HAVs, but we have not yet come across one that meets the required standards.


Jeremy Hoyle, Fivesquared


Any glove that keeps the hand warm and dry, and doesn’t make you increase grip strength to use the equipment, will suffice.”


“Simply not enough is in place in the industry to help guard against damage like white finger. Most golf clubs either are not aware of the issues or they think it doesn’t affect them.” The industry is still reportedly witnessing cases of greenkeepers working on hand-held machines for four or five hours a day, ignorant of the damage they could be inflicting on themselves if using high vibration tools and equipment.


Hoyle wants to turn things around as a matter of urgency. “In some instances, golf clubs might not be aware of the dangers but, unfortunately, this is not good enough anymore. In a court of law, ignorance is no defence.”


Driving up training standards


Professional grounds maintenance machinery manufacturers, Dennis, are known for their ‘customer driven’ design policy, low noise and vibration characteristics and for producing machines that are versatile and


SAFETY too


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