FEATURE FOCUS: POWER TOOLS & TOOLING EQUIPMENT


REDUCING THE RISK OF HAND ARM VIBRATION SYNDROME WITH THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION OF POWER TOOLS


training and advice on the optimal settings and pressure required for each particular power tool, helping to further reduce vibration.


WIDER HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Whilst reducing vibration levels is a key issue, there are a number of other health and safety considerations that must be taken into account when specifying power tools in industrial plants. Most factories will contain areas where


dust is created. Dust entering a power tool and coming into contact with the motor acts as a conductor and can result in electric shocks for operators. In these instances, consider purchasing a tool with a fully enclosed motor to prevent the dust from entering the chamber. In addition, ensure that each power


Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, managers of industrial plants have a legal responsibility to assess and identify measures to reduce the health and safety risks associated with the exposure to hand-arm vibration


D


espite this, according to the Industrial Injuries Disablement


Benefit scheme statistics, there were over 7,000 new Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) claims between 2008 and 2017. HAVS is a disabling and permanent


condition caused by repetitive trauma from vibration which affects the fingers, hands and arms. It causes symptoms such as tingling, pain and numbness and affects a person’s ability to hold and grip. In recent years, we have seen an increase in enforcement action being taken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) against companies failing to adequately manage the risks arising from vibration.


REDUCING VIBRATION LEVELS On top of preventing fines for breaches, companies, and more specifically industrial managers have a duty of care to those working within the factory to prevent HAVS. As a result, ensuring that the correct steps are taken to reduce vibration when specifying power tools in factories is crucial. The exposure limit value (ELV) is the


maximum amount of vibration an operator may be exposed to in any single day. For hand-arm vibration the ELV in the UK is a daily exposure of 5 m/s2; it is


8 NOVEMBER 2019 | IRISH MANUFACTURING


therefore vital to ensure that each power tool that will be used for long periods does not exceed this level. For this reason, the best power tool


manufacturers will work with companies to recommend tools which reduce overall vibration and are safe for continual use through specific anti-vibration features.


WORKING CLOSELY WITH A MANUFACTURER When it comes to the purchasing decision around a new power tool, many factors will play a part including availability, delivery times and budget. But to ensure the most appropriate tool is purchased, ask your power tool manufacturer to send a consultant to visit your factory, assess the job and then make their recommendation. Their experts can take account of the required size, power, ergonomics, cost and efficiency and recommend the most suitable tool with the lowest vibration levels possible for the particular application. However, higher levels of vibration can


also occur as a result of excess pressure from user error, or incorrect power settings. The consultant can work closely with both industrial managers and the operators themselves to provide


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The best power tool manufacturers will work with companies to recommend tools which reduce overall vibration and are safe for continual use through specific anti-vibration features


tool is ergonomically designed to reduce overall fatigue and includes additional safety features to help protect the operator.


PREVENTING FINES AND PROTECTING OPERATORS With the number of Hand Arm Vibration breaches on the rise and an increase in companies being penalised by the HSE for failing to put in place measures to prevent HAVS, it is now more important than ever for managers of industrial plants to take action. Working together with a consultant provided by your power tool manufacturer, who knows its products inside out, will help to reduce overall vibration levels and improve the health and safety of power tools used in the factory, preventing serious problems for both operators and the factory now and in the future.


FEIN www.fein.com


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