Hand Arm Vibration Guidance

Kevin Burrows

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What is HAVS?

• A disorder which affects the blood

vessels, nerves and muscles of the

hand, wrist and forearm.

• Can be severely disabling.

• Also known as Vibration White Finger.

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Why talk about HAVS?

• 1 Million workers are exposed to high

levels of vibration, of those 460,000 are

estimated to be working in construction.

• Approx 800 cases of HAVS are reported

every year.

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What are the Symptoms?

• The blood vessels (fingers go white) hence the name vibration white finger (VWF)

• The nerves in the fingers (causing pins and needles and loss of feeling)

• Bones and muscles (causing pain and loss of strength in the joints)

• The symptoms are usually at their worst when conditions are cold and wet.

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What are the Symptoms?

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Who is at Risk?

• Users of the following examples of vibrating equipment;

– Breakers

– Drills

– Wackers

– Rotary Saws

– Grinders etc

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Who is at Risk?

• Those exposed to vibrating equipment at work.

• Those with disease’s that reduce blood flow.

• Workers in cold and damp conditions.

• Smokers.

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How Can I Prevent it?

• Use low vibration tools.

• Try a different approach to your job.

• Use the right tool for the job.

• Keep blades and cutting edges sharp.

• Reduce grip and pressure, allow the tool to do the work.

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How can I Prevent it?

• Ensure the tool has been properly maintained.

• Reduce the amount of time you use the tool.

• Rotate the usage

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How can I Prevent it?

• Improve your blood circulation by:

– Keeping warm, wear gloves etc.

– Giving up smoking. Smoking drastically impairs blood flow through the body.

– Massaging and exercising fingers during work breaks.

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What else Can I Do?

• Learn to Recognise the signs of HAVS.

• Stop work and report any symptoms to your supervisor immediately.

• Use any control measures provided, i.e. gloves etc, that your employer will provide.

• Ask for advice from your safety department if in doubt.

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Remember

• Once you have had symptoms of HAVS, you will always be at risk.

• Tell your supervisor as soon as you suspect any symptoms.

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What MGJV Provide – HAV Information Pack

• HAND ARM VIBRATION SYNDROME (HAVS) INFORMATION PACK

• ASSESSMENT OF DAILY EXPOSURE LIMITS

HAND ARM VIBRATION SYNDROME (HAVS) INFORMATON PACK

ASSESSMENT OF DAILY EXPOSURE

LIMITS

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What MGJV Provide – Ready Reckoner

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Exposure Action Level

EAV set at 2.5 m/sec sq

• When this level is reached, there is a requirement to undertake specific action to reduce the risk.

• Exposure to vibration must be reduced to “As low as is reasonably practicable, using a programme of organisational and technical measures”.

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1st Action Level

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• Within MGJV these include:

• Guidance on duration of exposure

• Task sharing

• Provision of “vibration dampened

equipment”

• Use of mechanical breakers if possible

• Use of appropriate PPE

• Story Board - Tool Box talk

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EXPOSURE LIMITED VALUE

ELV, set at 5.0 m/sec sq:

• Should not be exceeded in normal

circumstances.

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2nd Action Level

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Control Measures

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Calculation of Exposure

To allow easy calculation of exposure levels, a

system of units 1 &15 minute durations have

been created for each item of equipment.

DO NOT EXCEED 400 POINTS PER DAY

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Duration Exposure Points

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• The maximum amount of units after

which ACTION is required in an 8 hour

NORMAL working day =100 per person.

• The maximum units that shall not be

exceeded in an 8 hour NORMAL

working day = 400 per person.

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What you need to do to comply

• Monitor your usage using the points

system.

• If you think that you are reaching

the first action level e.g. 100 points

as indicated in the Ready Reckoner

complete the Plant usage Form.

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HAV’s Monitoring Pad

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Using the Ready Reckoner

• Calculations can be estimated from the ready reckoner.

• Type of equipment is detailed with points already calculated in minutes

• Using the Plant Usage form calculate how many minutes for each piece of equipment.

• Complete Plant usage form weekly and hand to Supervisor

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HAVs Wheel

• A HAVs wheel is provided to give

indications of possible exposure on

various types of vibrating equipment