FEATURE
COULD THIS AFFECT ME?
Yes, if you use hand-held or hand guided power tools and machines such as:
Concrete breakers, concrete pokers
Sanders, grinders, disc cutters
Hammer drills Chipping hammers
Chainsaws, hedge trimmers Powered mowers
Scabblers or needle guns.
such as chainsaws, sanders and concrete breakers to name but a few. These pieces of equipment are found in the industries most commonly affected by HAVS – construction, foundries or heavy steel fabrication, extraction, energy and water supply.
If you work in or employ workers in a HAVS affected industry, you should look to implement any one of the following prevention methods.
EQUIPMENT SELECTION It is important to take into consideration equipment selection by limiting your use of high vibration tools. Check with manufacturers regarding their published vibration data; while this data will be in ‘ideal conditions’, it is an indicator of the level of vibration you can expect. Where possible, buy lower vibration tools. However, you should also choose the right tool for the job and one that allows the job to be completed most efficiently, thus reducing trigger time.
WORK SCHEDULES Further to the length of time that employees are working with such tools, their work schedules should also be taken into account to limit exposure
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time. You may find it beneficial to use an employee rota system in order to limit the exposure time of individual workers.
TRAINING Training on power tools is vital. Tools are designed, particularly the low vibration types, to be used with the minimum of pressure. It seems counterintuitive, but power tools will work more efficiently if the worker does not push hard on them and hence reduce their risk and increase productivity.
HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM?
WORKSTATION DESIGN While not directly linked to the use of guided power tools and machinery, the design of employees’ workstations may be causing them to apply more pressure to their hands or feet due to bad posture. This will inevitably affect their overall blood flow, making them more susceptible to the symptoms of HAVS.
CLOTHING Ultimately, a simple change such as clothing can have dramatic effect on HAVS prevention methods. Employees who wear gloves will be less affected by cold or wet conditions, even in an indoor environment. Keeping hands warm and dry can improve blood flow and therefore limit the chances of an employee being affected by HAVS.
The fact that HAVS is permanent yet preventable means that, although cases have more than halved, it is still vital to monitor for HAVS risks to eliminate chances of new cases.
It is estimated that nearly 2 million people are at risk of suffering HAVS symptons in the UK
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