Hand Arm Vibration

WHAT IS HAVS?

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a widespread recognised industrial disease affecting tens of thousands of workers. It is a disorder, which affects the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints, of the hand wrist and arm normally caused by excessive, long-term exposure to working with tools that vibrate, or holding materials that are shaking
Its best known effect is vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and carpal tunnel syndrome. Attacks are painful and can result in the loss of the ability to grip properly. Any vibrating tool or process, which causes tingling, or numbness after 5-10 minutes is suspect.

HAVS is caused by repeated and frequent use of hand held vibrating tools. For example, power drills, chainsaws, pneumatic drills, etc. It may also be caused by holding or working with machinery that vibrates. It is not clear how vibration causes the condition. It is probably due to slight but repeated injury to the small nerves and blood vessels in the fingers. Over time these may gradually lose some of their function and cause symptoms. It has been estimated that up to 1 in 10 people who work regularly with vibrating tools may develop HAVS.

Symptoms of HAVS

Occasional attack to the fingers when part or the entire finger turns white; this is more noticeable when exposed to the cold. “Vibration White Finger” or “Raynaud's phenomenon” indicates that the supply of blood to the area has been temporarily stopped, this in turn changes the colour to white and the whole area will lose the sensation of feel and touch. After such an attack the blood supply will gradually return to the affected area with a throbbing pain.

Numbness (loss of feeling) and/or tingling (pins and needles) in one or more fingers may develop. It may be mild and just affect the tips of the finger(s) and 'come and go'. In severe cases a permanent numbness may extend along affected fingers. It may become difficult to fasten buttons, handle coins, screws, nails, threads, etc any kind of delicate job may be compromised.
Minor damage to the muscles, joints and bones may cause aches and pains in the hands and lower arm. The strength of your grip may be weakened.

How Common is HAVS in the Industry?

Over 4.9 million workers are at risk.
1.2 million employees were exposed over the old action levels (of A(8) 4m/s^2). This will increase dramatically under the new regulations.
The HSE estimates that 770 000 people suffer from finger blanching as a result of HAV exposure.
Claims for Civil damages are running at 8000-9000 cases per year
There have been a number of developments in the law over the last few years in relation to HAV and HAVS. Awards at court have increased significantly and out of court settlements are becoming less attractive to claimants.

What should Employers be doing?

It is the employers duty (or their Health & Safety representative) to be seen actively trying to combat and control all measures of HAVS in the workforce. This can be done in many ways:
Ensuring all hand held tools are checked on a regular basis for vibration levels.
Ensuring all tools used are helped by adding vibration damping handles.
All new or additional tools have the lowest vibration emissions.
All employees have regular vibration assessments.
Keep the employees working area warm with warm clothing for those who outdoors.
Make sure the legal limits on vibration exposure are not exceeded.
Provide information and training to employees on health risks and the actions you are taking to control those risks.

HAVS : HOW WE CAN HELP

Risk Assessments

All our technicians are trained and certified to I.O.S.H. (Institute of Occupational Safety & health) standards to carry out all Hand Arm Vibration testing, risk assessments and management. We have the experience and knowledge to help you to assess and reduce your employees exposure to HAVS.

We can perform on site risk assessments using a Larson Davis HM100 Vibration Meter. This would entail one of our technicians arriving on site to assess any number of your employees with the tools they would generally use, this would then generate a report which would then be discussed with management. If required a full procedure management program could be implemented.

By doing regular risk assessments not only does it keep you within the HSE regulations but can identify potential hazardous tools and operations that should be changed.

In order to prevent HAVS and to ensure the framework is in place and to successfully defend associated allegations of negligence in the future, a management system should be in place. This would help in such areas as:

Systems of work to minimise exposure
Employees are properly informed and trained
Work equipment is suitable for the task and properly maintained
Health monitoring of those at greater risk
Record keeping systems for retaining evidence of each of the above

A full program would consist of:

Regular assessments throughout the year on all or nominated employees
Complete tool asset register to be set up for your individual company/department
Online tool repair history
HAVS testing and PAT where applicable on all repairs undertaken or as discussed
Online reports generated to your own specifications including dynamic graphs
Free collection and delivery service within a 70 miles (110km) radius

After a tool has been either repaired or serviced it will be HAV tested and recorded on line, this will also contribute to the HAV surveillance of your tool stock and keep you within HSE guidelines. The HAV test will be a simulated test inline with your own individual work pattern.

Prepared data on various tool groups complete with trigger times can then be discussed with you to assess work practices in relation to exposure time.

A buy smooth policy can be introduced, to reduce vibration in your tooling and consumables to acceptable levels. This can be achieved by onsite testing and consultation periods throughout a period of time.

Online reports with graphs and in-depth tool repair history. History report consists of dates of repair/service, cost of repair/service, individual breakdown of all spare parts used and an additional comments page. Passwords will be given to all relevant people concerned to enable them to access from any computer.

It might surprise people to know that the consumable or accessory used in conjunction with the individual power tool can greatly assist in the vibrations of the tool. We can match the best tool with the best/lowest vibrating consumable on the market. We have access to most of major abrasive companies in the UK today. Together with the help of both toll and abrasive manufacturers we can get the best result possible by working side by side. Once again we not bias to any abrasive company what so ever, our aim is to get the two working together in harmony and for the benefit of both employer and employee.

HSE inspectors will be addressing hand-arm vibration in three priority industry sectors. These sectors will include Foundries, Heavy Steel Fabrication including Ship Building and Construction. They will expect to see evidence of the elimination of vibration risks or of their reduction to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable. Where vibration risks remain, inspectors will be looking for evidence that the risks are being managed adequately and that suitable health surveillance is in place.

If any of the above would be if interest to you or would like a demonstration please do not hesitate to contact us and one of our technicians would be only happy to arrange an appointment with you at your convenience.