Hand Arm Vibration
According to Health & Safety Executive (HSE) statistics in the UK approximately five million employees are exposed to Hand Arm Vibration in the workplace and two million are exposed to levels of vibration where there are clear risks of developing disease.
Hand Arm Vibration exposure can cause
a range of conditions collectively
known as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
(HAVS) or Vibration White Finger (VWF)
which can develop into a debilitating,
permanent disease such as Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome. Hand Arm Vibration is transmitted
to the operator through the use of
any piece of equipment which vibrates.
Operators of road breakers, hammer
drills, pedestal grinders, lawn mowers,
chainsaws, pneumatic powered hand tools
are just a few examples of when employees
are being exposed to potentially dangerous
levels of vibration.
Vibration exposure is a major issue
in all sectors of industry, for example;
construction, engineering, ship building,
the off shore sector, mining, forestry,
public utilities, estate management
and even power tool manufacturers are
coming under increasing pressure to
reduce vibration exposure for their
users and employees.
EC (European Commission) Directive 2002
This law requires Employer’s to carry out Risk Assessments and to restrict the exposure to vibration that their employees receive during a working day.
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
As an Employer your Legal duties in accordance with the HSE guidelines require you to
- Assess the vibration risk to your employees
- Decide if they are likely to be exposed above the daily exposure action value (EAV) and if they are:
- Introduce a programme of controls to eliminate risk, or reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable
- Provide health surveillance (regular health checks) to those employees who continue to be regularly exposed above the action value or otherwise continue to be at risk
- Take immediate action to reduce their exposure below the limit value
- Provide information and training to employees on health risks and the actions you are taking to control those risks
- Consult your trade union safety representative or employee representative on your proposals to control risk and to provide health surveillance
- Keep a record of your risk assessment and control actions
- Keep health records for employees under health surveillance
- Review and update your risk assessment regularly
- The process for managing exposure to vibration is a Legal requirement which is very lengthy, extremely costly and absolutely essential for all Employers to undertake.
The ToTm is a uniquely developed, cost effective product that greatly assists in the process of managing your workforce’s exposure to vibration.
