Hand-arm vibration (HAV)

What is hand-arm vibration?

Hand-arm vibration is transmitted from a work activity into someone’s hands and arms. This occurs when:

• operating hand-held power tools, eg road breakers;
• using hand-guided equipment, eg a vibrating compactor; or
• holding materials being processed by a machine.

When is hand-arm vibration hazardous?

Regular and frequent exposure to hand-arm vibration can lead to permanent ill health. This is most likely if contact with a vibrating tool or workpiece is a regular part of someone’s job. Occasional or low-level exposure is unlikely to cause ill health.

What health effects does vibration cause?

Hand-arm vibration can cause a range of conditions called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). The best known is vibration white finger (VWF), but vibration also links to specific diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

For some people symptoms appear after only a few months of exposure but for others it may take years. The symptoms are likely to get worse with repeated exposure and can lead to permanent damage and disfigurement. They can severely limit the jobs that someone is able to do, as well as affect family and social activities.

The symptoms include any combination of:

• tingling and numbness in the fingers;
• not being able to feel things properly;
• loss of strength in the hands; and/or
• fingers going white (blanching) and becoming red and painful on recovery (particularly in the cold and wet, and probably only in the tips at first).

The effects of these symptoms on people include:

• pain, distress and disturbed sleep;
• inability to do fine work (eg assembling small components) or everyday tasks (eg fastening buttons);
• reduced ability to work in cold or damp conditions (ie most outdoor construction work), which is likely to trigger a painful finger blanching attack; and
• reduced grip strength, which might affect the ability to work safely.

Who might be affected?

Tradesmen who work with hand-held or hand-guided power-tools and machines, such as:

• concrete breakers, pokers and compactors;
• sanders, grinders and disc cutters;
• hammer drills;
• chipping hammers;
• chainsaws; and
• scabblers or needle guns.

The five stages

• Stage 1: Arrangements
• Stage 2: Assess health risks
• Stage 3: Eliminate risk
• Stage 4: Control risk
• Stage 5: Manage remaining risk

Useful links

• Vibration at work: Advice for employers