What is HAVS?
Hand arm vibration syndrome, also referred to as HAVS, might not be something you’ve heard of before but if your employees use power tools regularly, it’s definitely something you need to know about. Here, we will take a closer look at HAVS as a condition, providing pointers on the symptoms to look out for, details on how it develops and advice on what an employer’s responsibility is.
Read on to find out more.
What is HAVS?
So, what exactly is hand arm vibration syndrome? HAVS is a condition that is developed through continuous use of holding workpieces which vibrate while being processed by powered machinery, such as pedestal grinders. It can also be caused by regular operation of hammer action tools for more than 15 minutes per day or some rotary and other action tools used for more than approximately one hour per day.
If not properly managed, this condition can cause lasting damage to hands and arms.
What are the symptoms of HAVS?
HAVS doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long-term issue that typically affects people who spend years working with vibrating tools, such as those working in the construction, agriculture and automotive industries.
In short, the repetitive use of these vibrating tools causes small but persistent injuries to the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints in hands and arms. Over time, this repetitive damage builds up which is when the symptoms start to appear. These symptoms can include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Loss of strength in hands
- Vascular, neurologic and musculoskeletal problems — in cases of long-term tissue damage, this can cause necrosis
In more serious cases, fingers can become painful and turn white, especially in colder temperatures, and is often referred to as ‘vibration white finger’. This is a sign that the blood flow to the hands has been affected, causing circulation issues.
How does HAVS develop?
The more exposure that an employee has to these vibrations through their line of work, the more likely they are to experience damage to their hands and arms.
It’s worth noting that it’s not only heavy-duty vibrating tools such as electric drills that can cause issues — even smaller tools like sanders or lawnmowers can be problematic if mishandled or used for too long. As such, it’s important to be mindful of how much of an employee’s time is spent operating tools such as these and making sure they are being used correctly.
What is the employer’s responsibility?
When it comes to protecting employees from HAVS, employers play a big role in keeping everyone safe. According to UK law (specifically, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005), employers must assess and manage the risks of vibration exposure in the workplace.
For this, they need to compare the amount of exposure their employees currently experience against the ‘Exposure Action Value (EAV)’ — according to the HSE, this is the “daily amount of vibration exposure above which employers are required to take action to control exposure.” This means that if an employee’s vibration exposure exceeds 2.5 m/s² (which is the current EAV for hand-arm vibration), employers must take the necessary steps to reduce it in order to prevent the development of HAVS.
In relation to this, there is also something called the ‘Exposure Limit Value (ELV)’, which is the maximum amount of vibration an employee may be exposed to per working day of 8 hours. For this, the law limits the ELV to a maximum of 5 m/s².
Steps to reduce HAVS exposure can include:
- Choosing quality tools: Ones that are lower-vibration tools or more shock absorbent.
- Suitable PPE: This includes considering anti-vibration gloves and implementing a health surveillance programme.
- Implementing time limits: This might involve rotating jobs so that workers aren’t constantly using vibrating tools for long periods.
- Regularly scheduled maintenance: Keeping tools in top working condition is key as poorly maintained or old tools tend to vibrate more.
- Training: Making sure workers know how to use tools correctly to minimise vibration.
Employers are also responsible for keeping records of their employees’ vibration exposure and regularly reviewing these records to ensure everything is carefully tracked. It’s important that employers stay on top of these checks so that they fulfil their duty of care to their teams and stay compliant, creating a safe working environment.
What is health surveillance?
This brings us nicely onto the topic of health surveillance. Simply put, this is a way for employers to monitor the health of employees who may encounter risks in their day-to-day work. It applies to a range of workplaces, from warehouses and factories to offices and construction sites, and involves a series of health checks that have been specially designed to highlight any work-related health issues, such as HAVS, as early as possible. By doing so, the required action can be taken to protect the safety of staff and help prevent any long term health problems. The effectiveness of these measures will continue to be monitored with adjustments being made where needed.
From a health, safety and well-being perspective, health surveillance is hugely important as it promotes a supportive, proactive culture in the workplace and ensures compliance with official regulations. Employers will experience lower absence rates and a more engaged team, helping put them in a stable financial position.
Here at Healthier Workforce, we understand that hand arm vibration syndrome can seem like a complex issue but it’s really all about being aware of the risks, highlighting any issues and taking the necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of employees. That’s where our experienced team comes in.
To find out more about HAVS, our health surveillance programme, or any of the other occupational health services we offer, get in touch with us today. Operating throughout the UK, we can travel directly to your workplace so that there is minimal downtime or disruption to your business.
Benefit from a happier, healthier workforce — give us a call or make an occupational health referral today.