Recent prosecutions: £100,000 prosecution after failing to protect workers from Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Recent prosecutions: £100,000 prosecution after failing to protect workers from Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

The HSE have recently prosecuted a West Midlands chemical manufacturer after failing to protect employees from the health risks associated with the use of vibrating tools. Robinson Brothers Ltd, were fined £100,000 as nine reports of HAVS had been made to the regulator and adequate measures had not been put in place, further details available via this link Chemical manufacturer fined £100,000 after failing to protect workers from vibration risks – HSE Media Centre

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a hazard for many employees across a variety of industries. HAVS occurs when vibration from a work process is transmitted to operator's hands and forearms by tooling. Regular, frequent, long-term exposure can lead to HAVS. This is particularly evident in foundries, construction, and heavy steel fabrication. HAVS can be controlled if caught early, but the condition may become permanent if the disease progresses.

What is HAVS?

'HAVS is a collection of sensory, vascular, and musculoskeletal symptoms caused by repetitive trauma from vibration'

The rate of acceleration of the tool or object grasped by the worker determines the level of hand-arm vibration that occurs.

HAVS causes painful symptoms in fingers, hands, and arms, because of regularly using vibrating tools, such as power drills, pneumatic drills, chain saws, grinders and working with vibrating machinery.

It is unknown how the vibration causes the symptoms of HAVS, however both nerve damage and interruption to the blood supply are factors.

HAVS symptoms typically include:

• Tingling and numbness in the fingers
• Whitening (blanching) of the fingers in response to cold
• Loss of manual dexterity
• Pain and cold in the hands

Symptoms are known to be worse during cold and wet weather, which means winter can be an especially risk period for employees who are regularly working with vibrating tools.

With the use of vibrating tools being commonplace across the builders merchant sector, it is important to have the right controls in place.

HAVS controls

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 places the following requirements on employers:

• Assess the vibration risks to employees
• Decide if employees are likely to be exposed above the daily exposure action value (EAV) and if they are, introduce a programme of controls to eliminate the risk, or reduce exposure to as low a level as reasonably practicable
• Decide if employees are likely to be exposed above the daily exposure limit value (ELV), and if so take immediate action to reduce their exposure below the limit value
• Provide information and training for employees on health risks and the actions being taken to control those risks
• Implement a suitable health surveillance programme where there is a risk to health
• Consult trade union safety representatives or employee representatives on proposals to control risk and on the introduction of health surveillance
• Keep a record of risk assessment and control actions and keep health records where health surveillance is in place

There are several measures that can be implemented to reduce HAVS risk for your employees:

• Redesign jobs to avoid the need for employees to use vibrating tools
• Limit the time employees work with vibrating tools
• Select vibrating tools that will not expose employees to unsafe levels of vibration
• Provide training for employees using vibrating tools, including how to detect and report signs of HAVS
• Maintain up-to-date records of employees exposed to vibration and their health
• Communicate the risks to employees and train them on how they can manage these risks

There are also several preventative measures employees should take:

• Report symptoms early to your employer
• Keep hands warm and dry
• Take breaks from work with vibrating tools
• Massage fingers after working with vibrating tools
• Avoid smoking as it affects the circulation to the hands and fingers