HAND/ARM VIBRATION


risk include chainsaws, cut-off saws, jigsaws, concrete breakers, hand-held and pedestal grinders, hammer drills, powered sanders, polishers and brush cutters.


CONTROLLING THE RISKS Factors affecting the level of risk from HAVS are


complex and there are many which lead to a poor understanding of risk management. These include how the equipment is operated, the worker’s posture and grip, whether operator’s working conditions are cold or wet and if the operator has a history of previous injuries or use of vibrating machinery outside of work. However, the significant factors are: the vibration magnitude of the tool, how long the equipment is used for and how many vibration processes the worker is exposed to, as the impact of exposure is cumulative.


The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 were introduced to better protect workers from vibration at work and came into force in July 2005. These regulations place a clear duty on employers to ensure their staff are not exposed to excess vibration.


Daily exposure is expressed in terms of magnitude of vibration at the user’s grip point (in m/s2


and the time


spent using the equipment in a shift. Some machinery can reach the Exposure Limit Value in minutes.


A(8) - 8 hour shift Equivalent m/s2


Exposure Action Value (EAV)


Exposure Limit Value (ELV)


2.5 5.0 The Exposure Action Value of 2.5 m/s2


Points 100


400 A(8) is equal


to 100 points and the Exposure Limit Value of 5 m/s2 A(8) is equal to 400 points.


When the Exposure Action Value (EAV) is reached, a health surveillance programme must be implemented along with a programme of organisational and technical measures to reduce exposure to the lowest reasonably practicable levels. The Exposure Limit Value (ELV) must not be exceeded. The employer must go back to safety- first principles and carry out a risk assessment to assess and identify what is causing the issues.


The Vibration Regulations require employers to:


● Carry out a full risk assessment. ● Make sure that risks from vibration are controlled and reduced.


● Provide information, instruction and training to employees on the risk and the actions being taken to control risk.


● Provide suitable health surveillance.


MINIMISING EXPOSURE TO VIBRATION The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states: “The most efficient and effective way of controlling exposure to hand-arm vibration is to look for new or


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alternative work methods which eliminate or reduce exposure to vibration.”


Changing the way that an operator works, so that their time on the machine is reduced or removed altogether, is the ideal. If this is not possible, then it is recommended that workers be protected from HAVS through:


● Using alternative non-vibrating methods. ● Mechanising or automating a task. ● Using jigs, clamps or rigs when possible. ● Alternating vibrating and non-vibrating work. ● Rotating vibrating work among several people. ● Using the best tools and abrasives available.


As identified, the two key variables that can control exposure are the magnitude of vibration to which an individual is exposed and their time of exposure. Magnitude of exposure can be gauged using industry standard tri-axial transducer measuring equipment that assesses the processes vibration magnitude and tool timer equipment that shows the operator’s length of exposure – sometimes called ‘trigger time’. The exposure value can then be calculated using the HSE hand-arm vibration calculator.


SIMPLE MEASURES TO TAKE Often the simplest measure to reducing HAV is correct


tool and abrasive selection. Recent innovations by the leading manufacturers in tools and abrasives are driving reductions in HAVS. For example, tools with electric or mechanical balancing systems can offer reduced magnitude compared to non-balanced tools. Selecting the right abrasive product for the application is also important. Using high-performance, Engineered Abrasives with new mineral technology (like Precision-Shaped Grain) enables better rotational balance that helps reduce vibration, additionally removing material at a faster rate than conventional abrasive grains, further reducing trigger time.


In fact, in an independent study by the Fraunhofer Institute and Vito NV (Flemish Institute for Technological Research) for 3M, tests showed that the Cubitron II Fibre Disc 982C from 3M demonstrated significant potential to mitigate risk against hand-arm vibration when compared to a traditional grinding wheel with up to a 91% reduction in vibration exposure; fixed tasks are completed faster, significantly reducing operator trigger time and less applied force helps minimise operator fatigue.


As the HSE advises, the best way of controlling exposure to hand-arm vibration is to find ways to eliminate or reduce exposure to vibration. Simple changes like selecting the best tools and products, can not only provide a significant reduction in vibration exposure, but improved productivity as well.


Hand-arm vibration syndrome is avoidable, so let’s work together to eradicate it from our workplaces.


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