Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
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Transcript of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
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20 Apr 2023 1
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)Line Manager Guide
/20 Apr 2023
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What Will Be Covered
Health Effects of Exposure to VibrationWhat is HAVSWhat is CTSThe LawControl MeasuresExposure levels explainedSmall Plant Data sheetMonitoring ExposureHealth SurveillanceInvestigationFurther Guidance
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20 Apr 2023 3
Health Effects of Exposure to Vibration
Regular and frequent exposure to hand-arm vibration can lead to two health conditions
Hand Arm Vibration syndrome (HAVS)
and
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
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20 Apr 2023 4
What is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome? HAVS
Symptoms and effects of HAVS include
tingling and numbness in the fingers which can result in an inability to do fine work (e.g. assembling small components) or everyday tasks (e.g. fastening buttons)
loss of strength in the hands which might affect the ability to do work safely
the fingers going white (blanching) and becoming red and painful on recovery, reducing ability to work in cold or damp conditions especially outdoors
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20 Apr 2023 5
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? CTS
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the nerve that controls sensation and movement in the handsThe carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in your wrist made up of small bones and a tough band of tissue. It acts as a pulley for the tendons that bend the fingers
Symptoms of CTS include tingling, numbness, pain and weakness in the hand which can interfere with work and everyday tasks
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Symptoms of both may come and go, but with continued exposure to vibration they may become permanent and cause pain, distress and sleep disturbance
This can happen after only a few months of exposure, but in most cases it will happen over a few years
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20 Apr 2023 7
What the Law Says
The Control of Vibration Regulations 2005 say you must
Identify and measure exposure to eliminate or reduce risk of exposure to hand arm vibration – risk assessments, tool selection
Make sure that the legal limits of exposure to vibration are not exceeded
Ensure control measure are properly applied – e.g. job rotation
Provide information, instruction and training to employees – briefings
Provide suitable health surveillance – and ensure compliance*
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20 Apr 2023 8
Control Measures
Elimination – change the way of work so that vibrating tools are no longer used
Substitution – replacing tools with ones with lower vibration emission
Task Considerations – does the task need to be done manually or can
it be mechanised?
Task Rotation – within each shift make sure that individuals change
the tasks that they do so that they do not breach the
exposure levels (EAV or ELV)
Monitor Individual’s Vibration Exposure
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20 Apr 2023 9
EAV and ELV explained
EAV Exposure Action Value 2.5m/s² A (8) The level at which measures should be introduced to eliminate or
control risk to be as low as possible
ELV Exposure Limit Value 5m/s² A (8)The level which should not be exceeded and at which immediate
action should be taken to reduce vibration exposure
The exposure limit value (ELV) is the maximum amount of vibration an
employee may be exposed to on any single day
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20 Apr 2023 10
Points System
The points system has been devised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to simplify measuring daily exposure to vibration
The system converts the vibration (m/s²) into points
100 points per day = exposure action value (EAV)
400 points per day = exposure limit value (ELV)
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HAVS Data Sheet
Found on Safety Central
Contains vibration data on each tool approved for use by Network Rail
Details how much trigger time will be needed to reach the EAV or ELV
Breaks down the points accumulated into 5 minute blocks for easy calculation
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20 Apr 2023 12
Monitoring Vibration Exposure
Exposure to vibration can be measured either by
a paper based record completed by the employee
orUsing technology – an electronic vibration monitoring device
It is important to have an understanding of each persons exposure to be able to identify employees at risk and to control the risk
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Responsibilities
Line Manager –Know which employees are at risk Provide information to employees Ensure control measures are in place Plan tasks to eliminate or reduce exposure Ensure employees take part in health surveillanceInvestigate when a new or worsening case of HAVS is identified
Employee –Know how to spot early signs of HAVSReport any problems to their line managerTake part in health surveillanceMake sure control measures are used correctly
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Mandatory Health Surveillance
The first health surveillance check should be carried out before the employee starts to use vibrating tools – a guide should be to arrange the surveillance before booking training or competency sessions
A further health check is needed 6 months after starting to use tools
then
Every employee exposed to vibration on a regular basis should take part in annual health surveillance
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Mandatory Health Surveillance
Tier 1 – first stage of health surveillance before using tools using
questionnaire
Tier 2 – second stage using questionnaire for annual surveillance
Tier 3 – a face to face appointment with a nurse carried out every third
year or if any concerns are highlighted
Tier 4- a face to face appointment with a physician who can give a
diagnosis of HAVS
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Managing Health Surveillance
Know which employees are at risk
Update HRSS with names of those employees who are exposed to
vibration when requested
Monitor compliance by tracking completion of questionnaire and
attendance at appointments
Carry out health briefings
Follow health surveillance guidance within HAVS management
standard
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Investigation Process
The investigation process should always be carried out when
new or worsening cases
of HAVS are identified as this could mean that the control
measures have failedThe outcome of every employees HAVS assessment will be available
on Oracle
Investigations should always include the employee, a trained
investigator and a health and safety professional
Look at areas such as the individuals vibration exposure, tools used
and maintenance schedules, working hours including overtime, task
rotation compliance
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What to do if an Employee has HAVS
The fit slip from OH will advise on any restrictions on working –
Always follow advice from Occupational Health
Reduce/restrict vibration exposure as directed
Spend time with the employee outlining any restrictions
Ensure that employee complies with subsequent health surveillance
Encourage the employee to report any further concerns they may have
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Need Help?
Presentations, Factsheets and Briefings on Health Portal
People who can help - safety representatives, trade union reps,
occupational health provider, HRSS,
occupational specialists and managers
HAVS standard and guidance documents on Connect
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Questions?