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Article: Vibrating tool safety

In this article, Nicola Coote of PHSC Environmental seeks to provide some practical guidance on the health risks associated with exposure to vibrating tools.

For moreb information: Questions and answers

Health risks associated with exposure to vibrating tools

HAV and VWF

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:

impaired blood circulation and blanching of affected parts of the hand/fingers (VWF)
neurological and muscular damage leading to numbness and tingling sensations
other possible kinds of damage leading to pain and stiffness in the hands and joints.

First stages of the condition may result in a 'pins 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:

percussive metal-working tools eg powered hammers for rivetting, hammering, clinching and flanging, air chisels etc.
power operated sanders and drills (belt sanders, air drillsl and air saws)
grinders and other rotary tools (eg pedestal grinders, rotary burring tools and polishers)

Reducing Risk

The best approach is to implement a preventive programme which involves:

identifying hazardous jobs or equipment
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)
job rotation or other measures to reduce frequency and duration of exposure
information and training for workers and supervisors in the hazards, health risks, methods for reducing the risk and early identification of symptoms)
routine health surveillance

Vibrating tools risk questions and answers:

Question	What practical measures can we take to reduce risk of vibration?
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
Question	If someone reports to us that they think they have been injured by vibrating tool, what action should we take?
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.
Question	How often should we undertake medical surveillance?
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).

If you would like to find out more about how PHSC can help, contact us now on 01622 717700!

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