HAVS: PRODUCT FOCUS HAV COMPLETE CONTROL


Reactec introduces its latest device that empowers supervisors to guide workers in real-time on the safest use of power tools in the fight against HAV exposure.


Specialist in Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) exposure monitoring and analytics, Reactec recently released a versatile companion device RASOR which enables live data management of HAV exposure and data from other health risk sensors. In this very latest development, Reactec has created the ability for a supervisor of power tool operators to see in real time if their operators are using tools in a way that minimises their personal risk and whether the tool being used is the best tool for the job.


It has been established that the risk of developing the industrial disease Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is directly related to an individual’s exposure to vibration in terms of the duration of that exposure and the vibration magnitude during exposure. It is also widely recognised that the vibration magnitude emitted from a tool varies widely depending on the condition of a tool and its accessory or the specific application of a tool in terms of settings or applied materials and also an operator’ tool technique. Operators will alter their risk by how they grip the tool, the force they apply to the tool and their posture while using it. For the first time Reactec’s RASOR in conjunction with a HAVwear watch, allows a supervisor to see immediately the impact of all of the variables which can influence an operator’s risk from using tools.


The training aid app on the RASOR displays a comparison of the real-time risk against what is expected of the tool via a simple but powerful traffic light style gauge. This visual aid will identify when the real-time risk level from the HAVwear is materially different to what is expected, highlighting potential issues. Standing alongside a HAVwear user operating a tool, the RASOR user can view this information while the tool operator can change their tool technique such as grip, push force, and so on to observe if the effect increases or reduces their exposure risk.


The training aid can also be used to help assess the variability of exposure from using the same tool under different conditions or different tools for the same task while also understanding the effect from changing accessories. Essentially, this technology enables an activity between supervisor and tool user to realise an unprecedented level of inclusive assessment of what is often considered a hidden risk.


This approach is considered novel as traditional methods of measuring a tool’s vibration magnitude require trained technicians and expensive instruments and are therefore seldom used as a means of developing best practise use of tools. Those skilled in the process of measuring a tool’s vibration magnitude are generally not knowledgeable on effective tool use and therefore a third resource


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would be needed to guide best use of a tool during a traditional measurement method. Reactec’s approach not only simplifies the assessment process but empowers the supervisor with immediate information to provide practical and effective real- time feedback to objectively train in a manner not previously thought possible.


Commenting on the new training aid, Tracey Gorman, Business Development Director of Reactec, said: “At Reactec we are committed to continuously developing our system to help customers and their employees better manage HAV exposure risk. This is another step forward in providing managers with tools to reduce their employees’ risk to the debilitating effects of HAVS. We are confident that our clients will be excited about an opportunity to proactively determine new ways of controlling the risk from exposing their employees to HAV.


“Every company who deploys the HAVwear system now benefits from owning a RASOR to identify best practice safe use of tools. It supports a simple yet powerful interface, so users can readily see when high exposure occurs while observing related tool activity, to make immediate improvements to further reduce HAV risk ALARP.”


www.reactec.com www.tomorrowshs.com


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