Hand-arm vibration - Stage 5: Manage remaining risk

There are likely to be situations where it is not feasible to avoid using vibrating tools and engineering controls do not control the exposure risk effectively. You can manage these remaining health risks by using a range of measures such as work schedules and information.

Work schedules

Job rotation can be used to share a vibration exposure between several people and thereby limit each individual's exposure. Effective job rotation is more complex if a worker uses two or more tools that involve a risk of exposure to HAV.

• Limit the time that your employees are exposed to vibration.
• Plan work to avoid each individual being exposed to vibration for long, continuous periods - several shorter periods are preferable.
• Where tools require continual or frequent use, introduce a rota to limit individual exposure time.
• Organise employees to work in teams where they rotate between jobs to prevent individuals inadvertently receiving a high exposure to vibration.

Make sure that you check that work schedules are followed - it is not unusual for ‘old' work practices to reappear.

Reduce the level of vibration transmitted to the hand

Factors that affect the level of transmission include:

• level and frequency of vibration of the surface that is being held;
• hand position; and
• how the hand(s) grip the tool or workpiece.

Aids that incorporate anti-vibration mounts and jigs can help to avoid the need for someone to grip a vibrating surface. ‘Anti-vibration' handles or components may be available as a retrofit for some tools.

Wrapping rubber or other materials around handles may reduce the transmission of high-frequency vibration but is unlikely to reduce exposure to the lower frequencies that create the greatest risk of injury.

• Vibration solutions HSG170 describes practical ways to reduce the risk of hand-arm vibration for specific tasks.

Warm clothing and gloves

Provide workers with protective clothing to keep them warm and dry. This will encourage better blood circulation, which should help protect them from developing vibration white finger.

Gloves can be used to keep hands warm, but should not be relied upon to provide protection from vibration.

Other measures

There are other measures that you can take that, while not reducing the daily vibration exposure, are thought to reduce risk. These include:

• plan work so that natural changes in activity avoid prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration;
• provide screening or shelter for outdoor workers in cold, wet or windy conditions;
• provide hot drinks and warm food - this helps to maintain body temperature if people work in a cold environment;
• encourage workers to exercise, which aids blood circulation, and to flex their fingers during breaks; and
• encourage workers to stop or cut down on smoking as it can impair circulation.

Information and training

You should provide your employees with information on:

• the health effects of hand-arm vibration;
• sources of hand-arm vibration;
• whether they are at risk, and if so whether the risk is high, medium or low;
• the risk factors (eg the levels of vibration, daily exposure duration, regularity of exposure over weeks, months and years);
• how to recognise and report symptoms;
• the need for health surveillance, how it can help them remain fit for work, how you plan to provide it, how you plan to use the results, and the confidentiality of results;
• ways to minimise the risk, including:
  • changes to working practices to reduce vibration exposure;
  • correct selection, use and maintenance of equipment;
  • correct techniques for equipment use, how to reduce grip force etc; and
  • maintaining good blood circulation at work by keeping warm and massaging fingers and, if possible, cutting down on smoking.

You should consult your safety or employee representative on your proposals for training and information.

How do I know if the steps I have taken to control risks are working?

• Regularly check that the control measures you have introduced are being carried out by your managers and employees.
• Talk to your managers, supervisors, employees and their representatives about whether there are any vibration problems with the equipment or the way it is being used.
• Check the results of health surveillance and discuss with your occupational health service provider whether the controls appear to be effective or need to be changed.