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HAVS questions:
Tools
questions:
What is hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)?
Hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a disease,
usually of the hands which is caused by excessive, long-term exposure
to working with tools that vibrate, or holding materials that are
shaking.
How does the tool vibration affect my health?
Excessive exposure
to vibration can cause injuries to:
- Blood vessels in your
hands and fingers
- Sensory nerves in your
hands and fingers
- Bones and joints in
your hands, wrist and possibly elbow and shoulder
- Muscles in your hand
and forearm
Recovery of the
damage after you stop any exposure is slow or may appear permanent.
What are the symptoms of HAVS?
HAVS
causes problems with your blood circulatory system:
- Periodic attack when
fingers, or parts of them, turn white especially when exposed to
cold. This is known as "vibration white finger" and
indicates that the supply of blood to that area has been temporarily
stopped. Those areas that turn white will lose any sensation.
- Throbbing pain in
fingers when the blood returns during recovery from an attack of
"vibration white finger"
HAVS can also
result in sensory nerve damage:
- Tingling sensation and
pins and needle in hand and fingers
- Numbness in the hand
and fingers
- Your ability to detect
touch and temperature is reduced in your fingers
- You find it difficult
to carry out delicate jobs with your hands
Other
symptoms of HAVS include:
- Damage to muscle, bone
and joints
- Loss of strength in
your hand
- Pain in the hand,
wrist and arm
What tools can cause HAVS?
Tools
usually associated with HAVS include:
Hammer drills, scrabblers, needle guns, chain saws,
vibrating compactors, riveting and chipping hammer, bolsters tampers,
road drills, concrete breakers, hand-held sanders, sanders, angle
grinders, power hammers, chisels, powered lawnmowers, strimmers, brush
cutters, nut runners, power screwdrivers.
How common is the HAVS problem?
- About 4.9 million
workers are exposed to vibration to the hands
- It is estimated that
one million people in Britain may be exposed
to potentially harmful vibration levels
- According to estimates
there are about 300,000 workers with moderate to severe symptoms
of "vibration white finger". Currently it is the largest
reason for new claims under the Industrial Injuries Disablement
Benefit Scheme
- HAVS is also a very
common reason for civil compensation against employers
How can I reduce the risk of developing HAVS?
- By taking an active
part in your company’s occupational health training
- Talk to your Health
and Safety representative if you have any doubts or worry about
HAVS
- Avoid any tools or
processes, which produce high levels of vibration (above legal
limits)
- Make sure that you are
not working with your hands and wrists in positions that feel
awkward or uncomfortable
- Only grip the tool
tight enough to get the job done properly and safely
- Use the right tools
for the job
- Keep machinery and
tools in good working condition, properly maintained and serviced
- Don’t ignore any
potential symptoms of HAVS
What can employers do to reduce the risk of employees
developing HAVS?
Employers should
try to reduce the risk of employees developing HAVS as much as
practically possible by:
- Checking that the
vibration levels of tools are not above the recommended level
- Buying new tools that
have low vibration emissions
- Making sure vibrating
tools, which may give high exposures, have vibration control built
in (anti-vibration or damping handles)
- Looking at alternative
ways of doing the job that reduces workers’ exposure
- Training their
employees to use the tools correctly
- Arranging rotation of
jobs so that employees can take a break from high vibration tools
- Arranging advice and
routine health checks through an occupational health adviser
- Keeping the
environment warm and providing warm clothing for outdoor workers
- Encouraging employees
to report any symptoms or concerns about HAVS an early stage
- Looking out for
information on the new European Directive on Physical Agents
(Vibration) and how implementation in 2005 may affect them and
their employees in reducing the risk of HAVS
How often should a tool be serviced?
Tools should always be serviced in line with
recommendations from the tool manufacturer. This could be every 3
months, 6 months or 12 months and is dependent on tool usage.
How important are tool accessories?
Extremely important. Tool accessories and consumables
need to match the tool for speed, performance and safety. Without the
correct consumables, you may not be using your tools to their full
potential or, perhaps more importantly, safely. For more information on
tool accessories, please take a look at our Parkair catalogue or contact
us for technical advice.
Am I getting the most out of my air tool?
From our experience probably not. Air pressure, flow,
lubrication, couplings, hose etc. all play a part in maximising the
performance of a tool. Without the correct fittings and technical
knowledge a tool is unlikely to be fulfilling its potential.
To find out
more about our range of branded industrial power tools, our power tool
maintenance service or HAVs solutions call us free on 0800 074 51 61 or
complete our online contact form.
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