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20 Apr 2023 1

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)Line Manager Guide

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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?