HEALTH & SAFETY
CuttInG edGe teCHnoLoGY
HoW to CHoose ABRAsIVe PRoduCts tHAt deLIVeR sAFetY And InCReAse PRoduCtIVItY
By Adam Ward, category manager for PPe and Hygiene at Brammer Buck & Hickman What is hand-arm Vibration syndrome?
W
hen it comes to maintenance and repair work, the use of hand- held abrasive tools can expose the operator to vibration which can
increase the risk of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAV). This can result in long-term injury and absenteeism. How can employers manage and minimise
the impact of vibration as much as possible without compromising on productivity and work schedules?
level of 5m/s2
HAV is an industrial injury that is caused by continuous exposure to vibrations from handheld tools or types of machinery such as grinders, disc sanders, and random orbital sanders, etc. Often damaging the blood vessels, nerves, and tendons in the fingers, hand, and wrist, HAV can be a disabling condition and can result in reduced sensitivity, strength, and dexterity. Once these conditions take hold, they are irreversible, so it is important to take appropriate early steps to reduce the risk of over-exposure to vibration.
PreVention is better than a cure
According to the Medical Research Council, nearly five million people are exposed to HAV at work. With vibration-induced disorders representing the fourth most common claim for compensation within the UK, it is clear to see why the control of vibration is an important consideration within the workplace. The Health & Safety Executive
(HSE) offers employers important guidance on how this should be achieved under ‘The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005’. These regulations highlight the ways to eliminate, reduce or substitute tasks involving high levels of vibration. The regulations also set out a maximum acceptable acceleration
38 MARCH/APRIL 2022 | IndustRIAL CoMPLIAnCe for an average vibration
exposure over an eight-hour workday. In addition, if staff are exposed to vibration levels above 2.5m/s2
, employers must introduce
organisational and technical measures to reduce exposure, along with a health surveillance program to detect and respond to early signs of damage.
control the leVel of Vibration
When it comes to the control of vibration in the workplace, there are various questions that need to be addressed. Firstly, is the tool or process well maintained
and working correctly? How long and how often is the equipment used? Both questions are important as they can have an impact on how well the equipment performs and how much pressure and time is spent performing a job. If an abrasive tool is not cutting as fast as it should, the job could take twice as long, which will increase vibration exposure. You will also need to consider how the
equipment is being operated; for instance, is it affecting the operator’s posture, or are they working for long periods in cold, damp conditions? Again, both factors can increase the risk of HAV. Also, are you looking at the complete
picture? Do not forget, each process adds to vibration exposure so if your employee is using two or three different tools in a day, each tool has its exposure, action value, and its level of vibration, therefore each process must be
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 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
