HAND-ARM VIBRATION BAD VIBRATIONS
Gavin Scarr-Hall, Health & Safety Director at Peninsula, discusses the impact of hand-arm vibration (HAV) and what employers can do to mitigate the risk of HAVS within their workforce.
At work you can be exposed to two types of vibration:
• Hand-arm vibration which is associated with the use of hand-tools and vibrating work-equipment.
• Whole body vibration which is generally associated with the use of mobile work equipment such as, tractors, telehandlers, excavators, dump trucks and heavy machinery including compactors, power- presses, scrap-shredders and similar large machines.
High levels of hand-arm vibration exposure can lead to the medical conditions of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), white finger disease (similar to Raynaud’s disease) and carpal tunnel syndrome. Working in cold or wet weather is also known to increase the risk of HAVS.
“EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE LOWER VIBRATION TOOLS, A DIFFERENT PROCESS ENTIRELY, OR INTRODUCING JOB ROTATION OR ADDITIONAL BREAKS TO REDUCE VIBRATION AND HELP WITH RECOVERY.”
Once you have HAVS the damage is done, it’s permanent. That’s why it’s important to follow the correct procedures to reduce risk of vibration.
Employers have a legal duty to ensure their workers do not suffer health risks as a result of exposure to vibration. There’s also a general responsibility to provide information and training on health risks and controls and keep up-to- date records of risk assessments and controls.
When buying or hiring tools, look for ones that reduce vibration exposure to the lowest possible level. Machinery suppliers are duty-bound to provide details of the vibration magnitude level that the machine will transmit when used for the purpose for which it is designed. This will enable a competent person to calculate the vibration levels to which a user is likely to be exposed during their working day. The tool should also be ‘CE’ marked to indicate that it has been designed in conformity with legal requirements. The information provided by the supplier is based on a new machine. Equipment that is not properly maintained, has been abused or is just well used will generate higher levels of vibration.
This data can be used to check that the user will not be exposed to excessive levels of hand-arm vibration during the working day or to limit the time they use the machine so that exposure does not exceed the legal limit. If you don’t have the original manual or handbook look on the manufacturer’s website; most have them available for download, including obsolete models.
There are also several online sources which provide vibration level data for new equipment and older equipment in use. The HSE suggests comparing data from two sources and conducting further checks if these are inconsistent. Be careful to select a value
34
that’s representative of your work activities and won’t underestimate vibration exposures.
The first step in mitigating risk is knowing and understanding exposure levels. As well as measuring exposure, ask operators about vibration levels and whether they experience any symptoms.
Find out where the main risks are by observing working processes and the tools used. Where practicable, try the tool yourself. Consider how many people use powered hand-tools and the location where they work. Look at what protections you have in place and whether they’re effective. For example, anti-vibration gloves alone will not eliminate vibration exposure. They may reduce the risks and make work more comfortable, but you must still work to the correct exposure limits and restricted exposure times.
If it’s determined that exposure levels are too high, consider whether the work needs to be done at all as well as how it’s being done. Explore alternative lower vibration tools, a different process entirely, or introducing job rotation or additional breaks to reduce vibration and help with recovery.
Many employees aren’t aware of the dangers of HAVS, so review training procedures, ensuring you provide adequate education and training about the risks posed and measures employees can take to reduce their exposure to vibration.
“ONCE YOU HAVE HAVS THE DAMAGE IS DONE, IT’S PERMANENT.”
Finally, where assessment or direct measurement of exposure indicates that the action level is only just exceeded, a simple annual questionnaire can be used for operators identified as at risk. This should be prepared with advice from an occupational health practitioner as part of an ongoing programme to monitor employee- reported symptoms of HAV. Where a response indicates that a problem may be present the worker should be referred to occupational health and the employer must act upon any advice subsequently received.
www.peninsulagrouplimited.com
WWW.TOMORROWSHS.COM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
