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In this article, Nicola
Coote of PHSC Environmental seeks to
provide some practical guidance on the health
risks associated with exposure to vibrating tools.
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
is a widespread industrial disease which affects
thousands of workers. The most common condition
is known as vibration white-finger (VWF), and
this is classified as an industrial disease. Attacks
are painful and can result in the loss of the
ability to grip properly. Whilst workers can claim
industrial injury benefit if they are disabled
as a result, this is poor recompense for the pain
and suffering which victims have to endure, and
compensations claims are likely to arise from
those affected.
Legal position
There is no specific legal duty
to reduce risk of HAVS. However, there are the
general obligations under the Health and Safety
at Work Act 1974, namely to ensure that safe systems
of work are provided, and that any tools at work
are handled and used safely. Other legislation
requires employers to undertake risk assessments,
and these should include risks associated with
vibration.
VWF is a reportable disease under
the RIDDOR Regulations 1995 (Reporting of Diseases
and Dangerous Occurrences). Therefore, the enforcement
authority must be notified immediately if employee
has been medically diagnosed with this condition,
and they are regularly use vibrating tools.
Health risks
HAVS is a term which includes a
range of conditions. Examples include:
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impaired blood
circulation and blanching of affected parts
of the hand/fingers (VWF) |
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neurological and
muscular damage leading to numbness and tingling
sensations |
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other possible
kinds of damage leading to pain and stiffness
in the hands and joints. |
First stages of the condition may
result in Apins and needles@ type sensations,
which is often most noticeable at the end of the
working shift. Numbness may also be experienced.
The person may suffer from periodic attacks in
which the fingers change colour (turn white or
blue) when exposed to the cold. In more severe
forms, attacks occur frequently in cold weather,
regardless of whether the person is at work. These
symptoms cause considerable pain and loss of manual
dexterity, resulting in clumsiness and reduced
grip. Extreme cases have resulted in gangrene
setting in, however, this is quite rare as earlier
symptoms generally cause sufferers to abandon
use of work involving high-vibration equipment.
Relevant Work Activities
Managers should investigate the
risks where workers use vibrating tools for prolonged
periods. Any vibrating tool or process which causes
tingling or numbness after 5-10 minutes of continuous
use is considered as suspect, and should be used
with extreme care.
The following tools and processes
are examples of where exposure to vibrating tools
may arise. This list is not exhaustive and you
may have vibrating equipment at your site which
is not included. It should also be noted that
the risk of contracting HAVS depends very much
on the frequency of use, the way the tools are
designed and used, and the working conditions
in which they are used:
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percussive metal-working
tools eg powered hammers for rivetting, hammering,
clinching and flanging, air chisels etc. |
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power operated
sanders and drills (belt sanders, air drillsl
and air saws) |
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grinders and other
rotary tools (eg pedestal grinders, rotary
burring tools and polishers)
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Reducing Risk
The best approach is to implement
a preventive programme which involves:
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identifying hazardous
jobs or equipment |
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controlling or
reducing the vibration (eg by using rubber
grips on handles, damping techniques on machines
and balancers or tension chains to support
heavy vibrating tools) |
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job rotation or
other measures to reduce frequency and duration
of exposure |
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information and training for
workers and supervisors in the hazards, health
risks, methods for reducing the risk and early
identification of symptoms) |
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routine health surveillance |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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Question:
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What
practical measures can we take to reduce risk
of vibration? |
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Answer: |
Much will depend upon the type, design
and age of equipment being used. Often,
it is worth discussing what modifications
are viable with the supplier or manufacturer.
However, below is a brief outline of some
general methods of reducing vibration exposure:
- use tools designed for low vibration
- use tools designed to avoid the need
for workers to grip high-vibration parts
- fit anti-vibration mountings on fixed
machinery
- install vibration-isolating handles
on tools
- implement planned preventive maintenance
on tools
- use protective gloves with special
soft linings
- wearing warm, weatherproof clothing
for work in cold/wet areas
- reduce periods of exposure, and ensure
that regular breaks are taken
- train workers in operating techniques
which minimise the need to grip tools
and workpieces tightly
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Question:
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If someone reports to us that they think they
have been injured by vibrating tool, what
action should we take? |
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Answer: |
An
investigation should be undertaken to identify
the source of exposure (ie what they are
being exposed to). The investigation should
include frequency and duration of exposure,
and take into account any modifications
to the equipment or job design to reduce
exposure in the future. Medical advice should
be sought to identify the nature of the
injury and extent of damage (if any). Work
associated with vibration may need to be
reduced, or stopped altogether, depending
upon the medical findings. If VWF is diagnosed
by a medical practitioner and the person
uses vibrating tools, then the enforcement
authority must be notified.
It is likely that a period of rehabilitation
will be required, even if symptoms have
been minor. This may involve a combination
of medical treatment, reduced work involving
vibration and continual assessment of the
situation.
Other workers may need to receive health
surveillance to identify if they are also
being affected.
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Question:
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How
often should we undertake medical surveillance? |
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Answer: |
Routine health assessments helps to identify
if your workplace is causing risk of health
damage to workers, or is likely to do so
in the future. It is recommended that surveillance
is undertaken annually. Newly exposed workers
may benefit from a health check after six-months
to identify how they have responded to vibration
exposure. Similarly if any workers are particularly
susceptible then more frequent surveillance
may be warranted (eg someone who has circulatory
problems).
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