The RCT Source

Early symptoms include:

• tingling and numbness (pins and needles) in the fingers;
• fingertips going white (blanching) and becoming red and painful on recovery (particularly in the cold and wet);
• not being able to feel things properly;
• loss of strength in the hands.

Continued exposure is likely to lead to a worsening of the condition and permanent damage.

Yes – there are two vibration exposure values, i.e.:

• the exposure action value (EAV), a daily amount of vibration exposure above which employers are required to take specific action to control exposure.  The greater the exposure level, the greater the risk and the more action employers will need to take to reduce the risk.  For hand-arm vibration the EAV is a daily exposure of 2.5 m/s² A(8) (equivalent to 100 points using the Health and Safety Executive calculator);
• the exposure limit value (ELV), the maximum amount of vibration an employee may be exposed to on any single day.  For hand-arm vibration the ELV is a daily exposure of 5 m/s² A(8) (equivalent to 400 points using the Health and Safety Executive calculator).  It represents an unacceptably high risk above which employees can only be exposed under exceptional emergency conditions for which stringent conditions apply.

You should: 

• determine which, if any, work processes involve regular exposure to vibration;
• see whether there are any warnings of vibration risks in equipment handbooks;
• ask employees if they have any of the HAVS symptoms and whether the equipment being used produces high levels of vibration or uncomfortable strains on hands and arms.

It is important during this whole process to discuss hand-arm vibration with supervisors, employees and the trade union safety representative or employee representative, and to provide reassurance to employees about job security and to explain why co-operating with risk control measures and the health surveillance programme is in their best interests.

A suitable and sufficient vibration risk assessment should be undertaken.

Yes – guidance is available as follows:

• on the simple ‘exposure points’ system in both the Council’s Policy HS26 and in the Health and Safety Executive’s online tool ‘exposure points system and ready reckoner’;
• in the Health and Safety Executive’s online tool ‘hand-arm vibration exposure calculator’ and the accompanying online guide to using this calculator. 

Yes – guidance is available in:

• the Council’s Policy HS26 – Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome ;
• the Health and Safety Executive’s leaflet INDG 175(rev 3): Hand-arm Vibration at Work – A Brief Guide.

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations require employers to:

• assess the vibration risk to their employees;
• introduce a programme of controls to eliminate risk or reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable;
• decide if employees are likely to be exposed above the daily exposure action value (EAV) and, if they are, provide health surveillance to those employees who continue to be regularly exposed above the action value, or due to individual circumstances continue to be at risk;
• decide if employees are likely to be exposed above the daily exposure limit value (ELV) and, if they are, take immediate action to reduce their exposure to below the limit value and reduce so far as reasonably practicable thereafter;
• provide information and training to employees on health risks and the actions the employers are taking to control those risks;
• consult trade union safety representatives or employee representatives on the employers’ proposals to control risk and to provide health surveillance;
• keep a record of the employers’ risk assessment and control actions;
• keep health records of employees who are under health surveillance;
• regularly review and update risk assessments.

Occasional exposure to hand-arm vibration is unlikely to cause any ill health.

However, regular and frequent exposure can lead to permanent health effects and can result in damaged nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hand, wrist and arm, leading to a range of conditions known collectively as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

The effects of HAVS on workers can include:

• reduced flexibility and strength of grip;
• inability to do fine work;
• inability to work with hand held equipment;
• pain, distress and sleep disturbance;
• difficulty in working outdoors in inclement weather since the symptoms can be aggravated by cold and/or damp conditions.

As well as limiting the work an affected employee can do, HAVS can also affect family and social activities.

Some effective ways of doing this are:

• informing managers about equipment that produces high levels of vibration;
• maintaining blood flow in the fingers while working, e.g. by wearing gloves in the cold, massaging fingers;
• ensuring they use the right equipment for the task;
• not using any greater force than necessary when gripping equipment;
• avoiding using equipment for lengthy periods without taking a break;
• keeping tools in good working order;
• where practicable, sharing high risk tasks with others to reduce exposure times;
• take an active part in health and safety courses they are required to attend;
• do not ignore any symptoms – report them to their manager immediately;
• immediately report to their manager any relevant medical conditions, such as diagnosis of diabetes;
• accurately record their trigger times according to procedure.

Managers must ensure that employees are provided with information/training on:

• the health effects of hand-arm vibration;
• sources of hand-arm vibration;
• whether they are at risk and, if so, an estimation of the risk;
• the risk factors, e.g. the levels of vibration, daily exposure duration, regularity of exposure over, weeks, months and years;
• how to recognise symptoms;
• how to report symptoms (early reporting will enable an early investigation by managers);
• the need for health surveillance, how it helps them remain fit for work, how it is to be provided, how it is planned to use the results and confidentiality;
• the need to immediately report relevant medical conditions;
• ways to minimise the risk.

In addition to training, a method of providing employees with information is by the distribution of pocket cards, leaflets or similar.  The Health and Safety Executive’s information sheet Hand-arm Vibration – A Guide for Employees (INDG 296) may be freely used.