The use of hand-held vibrating power tools for long periods of time and/or repeated and frequent use can lead to a permanent and painful injury called Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). HAVS is a life-changing condition that leaves the sufferer with significant ill health.
HAVS is an irreversible injury affecting blood vessels, nerves, and joints such as carpal tunnel syndrome and vibration-induced Raynaud’s phenomenon, more commonly known as Vibration White Finger (VWF).
Raynaud’s occurs when the small blood vessels in the fingers become over-sensitive to cold or changes in temperature. During an episode, the fingers may turn white, then blue, before becoming red and painful as circulation returns. These attacks can become more frequent and severe with continued vibration exposure.
There are two types of Raynaud’s:
- Primary Raynaud’s, which is usually mild and not linked to an underlying cause.
- Secondary Raynaud’s, which is more serious and may result from prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration.
When vibration is the cause, it is commonly referred to as Vibration White Finger. Early symptoms may include tingling, numbness, loss of grip strength and sensitivity to cold. Over time, fingers may turn white or blue during cold conditions as circulation becomes impaired.
Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 employers must assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks from exposures to harmful vibration and where required, to provide appropriate training and ongoing health surveillance.
If, as an employer, you do not do that then you not only put your employees at risk of a terrible disabling injury, but you also put your business at risk through substantial financial penalties as well as the loss of reputation.
The Extent of the HAVS Problem
There have been several high-profile, successful prosecutions of companies of all sizes, totaling over £5m since 2015. Unlike with Noise at Work cases, there is no cap for HAVS fines with some companies being fined over £500,000. In addition, the UK Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) research indicates that it costs a company between £7,000 and £36,000 to process every £1000 paid out in compensation claims – this is in addition to the actual amount paid out for the claim and any legal fees incurred.
In a 1999 study by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) 4.8 million people worldwide were estimated to be at risk; of these around 1.7 million were expected to be exposed above the vibration Exposure Action Value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s2 and 1 million exposed above the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) 5.0 m/s2. In the UK alone, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that there are 2 million people are at risk of vibration exposure every day.
In fact, there are 600-900 cases reported to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Claims for Vibration White Finger (VWF) now represent 9% of all employers’ liability cases, and there were over 400 new Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit cases for it and carpal tunnel syndrome in 2017. Data for the UK in 2018 showed claim levels were continuing to fall with around 325 cases reported, but 2019 saw a slight increase with 340 cases. There has been no official statistic published for 2020 or 2021 yet.
Do You Need to Monitor for Vibration?
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 was introduced to better protect workers from vibration at work and came into force in July 2005. By law, as an employer, you must assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks from exposure to hand-arm vibration so that you can protect your employees from risks to their health.
This will depend on whether your employees regularly and frequently work with vibrating tools and equipment and/or handle vibrating materials. It will also depend on how long your employees are exposed to vibration and at what level. As a simple guide, you will probably need to do something about vibration exposures if any of the following apply.
- Do your employees complain of tingling and numbness in their hands or fingers after using vibrating tools?
- Do your employees hold workpieces that vibrate while being processed by powered machinery such as pedestal grinders?
- Do your employees regularly use hand-held or hand-guided power tools and machines such as:
- Concrete breakers, concrete pokers
- Sanders, grinders, disc cutters
- Hammer drills
- Chipping hammers
- Chainsaws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers
- Powered mowers
- Scabblers or needle guns
For a step-by-step guide on how to calculate HAV exposure using vibration exposure points, read our detailed guide.
Managing and Reducing HAVS Risk
Whether you are looking for advice or to purchase your own hand-arm vibration meter, we are happy to help.
Please contact us, and one of our expert staff will be happy to help.
