Safer
power tool use
Employees
who regularly use power tools may be at risk of developing a range of
disabling vibration-related diseases known collectively as hand arm
vibration syndrome (HAVS).
It is estimated that over a million power tool users
are at increased risk of such diseases due to excessive exposure of
hand arm vibration (HAV). The risk of developing HAVS is further
increased if vibration exposure exceeds action levels set by the HSE.
Simply buying a new power tool may not solve the
problem.
At Abbey Industrial Solutions, we have the experience
and specialist power tool knowledge to work hand in hand with you to
assess and minimise your employees’ exposure to HAV.
HAVS consultancy
Our
I.O.A. (Institute
of Acoustics)
trained managers offer a comprehensive consultancy service in the
management of occupational exposure to hand arm vibration. With our
latest HAVS testing equipment we can set up a testing programme either
in-house or on-site and conduct a full health and safety risk
assessment on all of your power tool systems and processes.
Once we have the results of the test survey, we can
prepare a full report and recommend appropriate courses of action. This
can include selecting lower risk power tools and electric tools,
implementing a regular tool maintenance programme and / or training
seminars in HAVS awareness and best practice regarding power tool use.
It may be that the ergonomic review of an
employee’s existing workstation – checking it for physical
safety, comfort and productivity of the operator – is all that is
required to prevent the employee from developing potential long term
health problems.
Benefits of our HAVS consultancy service can include
reduced noise, dust and oil, tool weight and other factors that are
detrimental to an employee’s health.
We can also make you aware and offer advice on the
changes required by new EU directives which will be implemented in
2005.
Experts in HAVS solutions:
At Abbey
Industrial Solutions we have:
- Over 5 years
experience in hand arm vibration issues
- I.O.A. (Institute of Acoustics) trained managers
in the Management of Occupational Exposure to hand arm vibration
- The capacity to
undertake on-site testing and full health and safety risk
assessment
- The capacity to
undertake on-site testing to ISO 5349-2
- The expertise to offer
advice and recommendations on ergonomic workstations
- Reduced HAV exposure
by up to 55% by introducing best practice techniques
More
information about HAVS solutions
For more
information about HAVS solutions or HAVS management, call Abbey Industrial
Solutions on free 0800 074 5161 or complete our online contact form.
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