What is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and How to Prevent It?
Working in the construction industry is one of the highest risk occupations for injuries, so it is important to understand the main risks and know how to prevent them through a sensible approach to health and safety.
Due to the type of equipment being regularly used, a problem that is common with tradespeople is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which is a debilitating disorder that is a risk to anyone who uses vibrating machinery.
Handheld tools such as pneumatic drills, chainsaws, grinders, mixers and chipping hammers can cause HAVS. Other types of occupations such as gardeners, forestry professionals and arborists using hedge trimmers and powered mowers can also be at risk. Once HAVS symptoms start to show the damage is permanent, so preventative measures should be taken by anyone at risk.
Main symptoms of HAVS:
- Tingling or numbness in fingers
- Loss of strength in hands and not feeling things with your fingers
- Fingers going white and then red, especially in cold weather
HAVS causes damage to nerves, blood vessels and joints, as well as being painful and very uncomfortable. It can also prevent you from being able to work and will affect your quality of life, as it can become difficult to grip items.
The Health and Safety Executive introduced the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 to help prevent HAVS. The control measures include:
- Limiting the time spent working on a vibrating surface.
- Regular maintenance of tools to minimise vibration.
- Choose low-vibration tools where available.
- Use the right tool for each job.
- Cutting tools should be kept sharp to minimise vibrations.
- Avoid gripping tools more than you have to.
- Take breaks in between using handheld tools to do other work that gives time for recovery.
There are additional ways that you can help to prevent HAVS, such as not smoking, as this reduces blood flow. Keeping dry and warm can also help to boost blood circulation and reduce the chance of HAVS.
Employers must take the necessary measures to protect workers by complying with the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and if found to have inadequate measures in place to prevent HAVS, they could face fines and prosecution.
The HSE website has a hand-arm vibration exposure calculator to help to ensure compliance with the regulations and to keep employees protected. Employers should conduct a risk assessment to understand which tools can cause HAVS and to identify ways that the risk can be minimised, either through changing to different tools or minimising the amount of time spent using these tools.
Training employees on how to look out for the symptoms of HAVS and providing an easy way to raise any health and safety concerns will also help to protect workers. For self-employed tradespeople, they should protect themselves by following the prevention measures and being aware of all the health risks associated with their line of work.
PWM supplies low vibration tools and tools with ergonomically comfortable handle/grip designs that can help to protect from HAVS and other health issues. View our full range of tools and machinery here, where you’re bound to find what you need to complete your next project.