HAND-ARM VIBRATION MODULE
Types of Vibration that could pose a risk to employees:
Hand-arm vibration
Whole body vibration
Vibration can cause long term painful damager to hands and fingers
Jolts from driving certain vehicles can result in severe back pain
What is Hand-Arm Vibration?
Vibration transmitted from work processes into workers’ hands and arms
HAVS is serious and disabling, and nearly 2 million people are at risk
Damage to nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hand, wrist and arm is possible when working regularly with hand-held or hand-guided power tools for more than a few hours each day
Damage to nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hand, wrist and arm is possible when working regularly with hand-held or hand-guided power tools for more than a few hours each day
More about Hand-Arm Vibration?
HAVS is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent
It can be caused by operating hand-held power tools, such as road breakers, and hand-guided equipment, such as powered lawnmowers
Or by holding materials being processed by machines, such as pedestal grinders
Can cause range of conditions collectively known as hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), as well as specific diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome
Early Symptoms of Hand-Arm Vibration:
Tingling and numbness in the fingers (which can cause sleep disturbance)
Not being able to feel things with your fingers
Loss of strength in your hands (you may be less able to pick up or hold heavy objects)
In the cold and wet, the tips of your fingers going white then red and being painful on recovery (vibration white finger)
Prolonged Symptoms:
The numbness in your hands could become permanent and you won’t be able to feel things at all
You will have difficulty picking up small objects such as screws or nails
The vibration white finger could happen more frequently and affect more of your fingers
A reduced grip strength which might affect the ability to do work safely
Examples of tools that can cause Hand-Arm Vibration:
Chainsaws
Cut-off saws
Hammer Drills
Hand held grinders
Impact wrenches
Jigsaws
Polishers
Power hammers and chisels
Powered Lawn Mowers & strimmers
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What can you do?
Always use the right tool for each job
Check tools before using them to make sure they have been properly maintained and repaired to avoid increased vibration caused by faults or general wear
Make sure cutting tools are kept sharp so that they remain efficient
Reduce the amount of time you use a tool in one go, by doing other jobs in between
Avoid gripping or forcing a tool or work piece more than you have to
Store tools so that they do not have very cold handles when next used
Encourage good blood circulation by: keeping warm and dry, massaging or excercising your fingers, and cutting down on smoking
Use any control measures your employer has put in place to reduce the risk of HAVS
Learn to recognise the early signs and symptoms of HAVS
Report any symptoms promptly to your employer or the person who does your health checks
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