Vibration at Work

Vibration at work is a particular hazard that has to be assessed and managed to help ensure people exposed to vibration do not develop illness or injury. The most common area of focus for most employers is known as hand arm vibration.

Hand-arm vibration is vibration transmitted into the hands and arms when people use hand held equipment. It can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS):

• affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm;
• can become severely disabling if ignored;
• includes vibration white finger, which can cause severe pain in the affected fingers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS):

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder which may involve pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in parts of the hand and can be caused by, among other things, exposure to vibration.

Reducing risks

A risk assessment process is in place to help measure the levels of vibration experienced by employees and help develop management strategies to minimise the risk. The HSE have in place guidance on how best to measure exposure and this advice has been adopted by the council. At an individual level those using vibratory tools can do a lot to help minimise the risk of injury/ill health, this includes:

• seek out and use suitable low vibration tools;
• always use the right tool for each job;
• check tools before using them to make sure they have been properly maintained and repaired to avoid increased vibration caused by faults or general wear;
• make sure cutting tools are kept sharp so that they remain efficient;
• reduce the amount of time people use a tool in one go, by doing other jobs in between;
• avoid gripping or forcing a tool or workpiece more than you have to;
• store tools so that they do not have very cold handles when next used;
• encourage good blood circulation by:

1. keeping warm and dry, eg wear warm waterproof clothing;
2. giving up or cutting down on smoking because smoking reduces blood flow; and
3. massaging and exercising fingers during work breaks;

• make sure teams know to report any problems with their hands promptly to their manager and attend the regular occupational health screening appointments.
• make sure all teams are using the control measures defined within the safe system of work to reduce the risk of HAVS;
• advise employees where they can obtain more advice and guidance on concerns they may have around vibration and its effects.

Specific arrangements have been developed to support managers and teams members to work with vibratory tools safely. These documents include the safe systems of work “ready reckoners” and the arrangement document MA45 – Vibration. Additionally information on health surveillance for vibration can be found in GD 27 – Vibration Health Surveillance embedded wihtin the Vibration Screening page.

If there are any concerns about the application of established guidance, advice or a safe system of work please contact the line manager or the Service health and safety officer. If there are any concerns about whole body vibration (where more than hands and arms are exposed to vibration) please contact the Service Health and Safety Officer