HAND/ARM VIBRATION
PREVENTING THE PREVENTABLE
Using hand-held, hand-fed or hand-guided tools or machines can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), carpal tunnel syndrome and dupuytren’s contracture. All of these conditions are preventable but once the damage is done, it is irreversible and it is painful and disabling. An estimated 5 million people in Britain are regularly exposed to HAVS through their work activities and 2 million of them are at risk of developing injuries. Not surprisingly, the greatest focus of risk is found in industries where there is repeated and frequent use of hand-held vibrating tools – for example, power drills, orbital sanders and angle grinders, found in sectors such as heavy steel fabrication and construction.
Health and safety is integral to everyday operations in every industry and no more so when it comes to abrasive applications, for example in industries such as foundry, aerospace and rail. Ensuring processes and systems are the safest they can be will help create a safe and efficient workplace.
WHAT IS HAVS? Hand-arm vibration comes from the transfer of
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Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a highly preventable condition. Yet, there were still 205 new cases reported to the Health and Safety Executive in 2019. Here, Theo Simon, an Application Engineer Specialist in abrasives at 3M, discusses the present vibration exposure guidelines and how to safeguard your workforce.
vibration from powered tools and equipment to an operator’s hand, which can lead to tingling and numbness in the fingers. HAVS consists of three components: vascular damage to blood vessels, neurological damage to nerve endings, and musculoskeletal manipulation issues. Warning signs of HAVS include tingling, numbness and an inability to feel things with the fingers. They also include a loss of strength in the hands and ‘vibration white finger’ (VWF). This is related to poor blood circulation through damaged vessels and turns fingers white especially in cold or damp conditions. As the blood returns, the fingers go red and the sufferer feels intense pain. Continuation of high-vibration power tool use will only lead to these symptoms getting worse.
Working regularly with hand-held or hand-guided power tools for more than a few hours each day can lead to damage to nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hand, wrist and arm. Those at particular risk are workers who regularly operate hammer action tools for more than about 15 minutes per day; or some rotary and other action tools for more than about one hour per day. The types of machines most likely to cause a
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