Hand Arm Vibration
Hand arm vibration (HAV) is a rather localized form of exposure to occupational vibration. It mainly affects people who regularly use all types of vibrating pneumatic, electrical, hydraulic, and gasoline powered hand-tools. The hands and arms take most of the ill effects.
HAV – A Considerable Threat
Around five million workers are exposed to HAV in the workplace, two million of whom are exposed to hazardous levels. Vibration white finger and vibration related carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the major diseases resulting from high levels of HAV. These ailments are part of a larger set of irreversible debilitating conditions, known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
The Causes
Hand-arm vibration is transmitted into your hands and arms through hand-held powered work equipment, such as concrete breakers and pokers, sanders, grinders, disc cutters, hammer drills, chipping hammers, chainsaws, pedestal grinders, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, powered mowers and scabblers or needle guns. In extreme conditions when vibration, cold and nicotine(from smoking) combine, the result is gangrene which might require finger amputation.
HAV Regulations
According to Health and Safety Executive (link to http://www.hse.gov.uk/ ) (HSE) new regulations became effective 6 July 2005. These regulations set the standards which help in taking preventive action against HVA. The European Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive (Directive 2002/44), including England, Ireland and Scotland, deals with the control of physical problems caused by vibration at work from equipment, vehicles and machines. HSE is also responsible for work place regulations in Scotland (link to http://www.hse.gov.uk/scotland/index.htm) and Ireland (link to http://www.hse.gov.uk/org/ireland.htm). Know more about HSE.(link to http://www.corporateaccountability.org/rb/gb/hse.htm)
The regulations require employers to evaluate whether workers will be exposed above daily exposure action value (EAV) or the daily exposure limit value (ELV). In the former case, the employer must introduce measures to lower the levels of vibration; and in the latter case, it requires immediate action to bring down the exposure levels to below limits. For hand arm vibration the EAV is a daily exposure of 2.5 m/s2 A(8), and the ELV is a daily exposure of 5 m/s2 A(8).
The time to act is NOW!
There is a transitional period for the exposure limit values before the regulations take effect in 2010. This allows work activities to continue because the use of older tools and machinery cannot keep exposures below the exposure limit value. This extension applies only under certain circumstances. However, in light of the heightened risks and awareness about the preventive measures, HAV needs to be appropriately measured and prevented as sooon as possible.
At Quest Technologies, we have researched all the aspects of occupational vibration hazards. We understand that both these modes of vibration are different in terms of vibration intensity, duration, frequencies and pathways into the human body. That is how we constantly provide you with the most reliable equipment to measure hand-arm vibration.
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