Health and Safety Update (October 2008)
Shaking hands
Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) is a condition caused by regular
exposure to vibrating and percussive tools, or working with
material in contact with grinding or cutting operations.
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) refers to damage to muscles,
joints, circulation and nerves in the hand and arm caused by HAV -
carpal tunnel syndrome and vibration white finger are well known
examples of HAVS. HAVS may also manifest itself as loss of strength
in the hands, inability to, or reduced, grip, and numbness in the
fingers, especially in the tips. HAVS sufferers can also end up
with painful joints and permanent damage to bones in their hands
and arms.
According to the HSE, there are up to 5 million workers using
hand-held or hand-guided power tools in the UK, with 2 million of
these exposed to levels of vibration that could result in ill
health. Those working in construction, engineering, agriculture and
mining are recognised as being most at risk.
HAV can affect workers who use power tools and cutting equipment
such as road breakers, power drills, chainsaws, strimmers,
polishers or grinders. The problem can be made worse by cold or wet
conditions.
What should I do as an employer?
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations
2005 set Exposure Action Values and Exposure Limit
Values for HAV.
Exposure Action Values (EAVs) indicate the level of
vibration at which action must be taken to reduce exposure.
Exposure Limit Values (ELVs) set the maximum level of
vibration that should not be exceeded in any single day.
Both types of value are calculated as the average exposure
experienced over an eight-hour period.
You will need manufacturers' vibration data and ensure that it
is representative for the tasks you are carrying out- it is wise to
err on the side of caution and assume that it is higher than
stated. You will also need exposure times over the working day and
the HSE exposure calculator to assess each employee's daily
exposure.
For Hand-Arm Vibration:
- the Exposure Action Value is 2.5m/s²
- the Exposure Limit Value is 5.0m/s²
So you must
- Assess the risks to your employees. Consider the frequency and
time of exposure to vibration. You should also consider the
physical force required by the employee to actually do the job.
Temperature should also be taken into account- cold temperatures
affect blood circulation before the use of a vibrating power
tool;
- decide if they are likely to be exposed above the daily
EAV;
- decide if they are likely to be exposed above the daily
ELV.
If employees are likely to be exposed above the EAV:
- introduce a programme of controls to eliminate risk, or reduce
exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
Where risks cannot be eliminated, control methods include:
- selecting lower vibration tools and equipment;
- altering processes and procedures to minimise exposure to
vibration;
- implementing task rotation and time limits on activities with
high exposure levels;
- providing training in new operator skills for tools with
vibration reduction features;
- making operators aware of activities with the tools that
produce unusually high vibration emissions;
- providing information on methods of using the tool to be
adopted or avoided to reduce vibration levels;
- making sure operators avoid gripping the tool too tightly;
- providing information and training in tool maintenance (badly
maintained tools can produce more vibration).
Employers must also provide health surveillance to those
employees who continue to be regularly exposed above the EAV or
otherwise continue to be at risk.
If employees are likely to be exposed above the ELV:
- take immediate action to reduce their exposure below the limit
value
- provide information, instruction and training on health risks
and the actions taken to control those risks.
Training is necessary for anyone using powered equipment.
Operators should understand the health effects of HAV as well as
the risks. Training will also help inform workers of the importance
of equipment selection, how to maintain it, and how to record its
usage.
More information on vibration risk assessment and how to do it
can be found by calling our 24/7 Telephone Advice Service and
speaking to a qualified Consultant.