Minutes of the 5th Construction Hand-arm Vibration Working Group Meeting, HSE, Leeds, 29/09/06

Attendees: Phil Burgess (HSE), Hans Fairley (Stihl, AEA), Greg Bordiak (BCAS), Peter Alford (JCB), Ulrich Betten (Hilti), Neil Mansfield (Loughborough University, OPERC), Shelly Atkinson-Frost (Construction Confederation), David Smeatham (HSE), Andrew Simpson (Belle Group), Andrew Bowden (Makita), Mark Owen (Shepherds Construction), Terrance Libby (ATA Grinding), Peter Houldridge (Complete Hire Services).

The meeting was based around an agenda circulated prior to the meeting.

Welcome

Meeting opened and attendees were welcomed. Members of the group introduced themselves and stated whom they were representing.

Minutes of meeting held on 30th May 2006

These were accepted.

Minutes of meeting held on 5th September 2006

It was pointed out that in these minutes it stated that OPERC are assisting in the development of a test for compaction machines. However, this work has not been conducted as yet. In addition the minutes state that there is currently no standard test method for these tools and the industry is working towards a standard test application. However, a draft standard (pr EN 500-4 2001) does specify a vibration test method.

Communication difficulties.

Some members of the group have not been receiving the minutes of the meetings. This will be addressed.

Dates for next meetings

17th November 2006 – Shepherds Construction, York.

9th January 2007 – HSE, Rose Court, London.

Discussion of where we are.

The group discussed the consultation HSE has had with the DTI regarding the suggestion that the revision of the traffic light system could be seen as a barrier to trade and the resulting proposed safeguard action (see minutes of the meeting on 5 th September for further details). It is hoped that with the proposed safeguard action and recent improvements to standards it should be possible to provide data suitable for an initial risk assessment for those tools identified by the group as being potentially high risk in the construction industry. It was recognised that the working group should now focus on verifying the vibration information and developing specific HAV guidance for the industry. The group split into two sub-groups; one to discuss vibration data and one to discuss guidance on HAV management

Discussions regarding guidance on HAV management

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Discussions regarding the supply of vibration data suitable for an initial risk assessment.

DS, PA, GB, AB, HF, UB and AS.

The group discussed the suitability of standard test codes to carry out initial exposure assessment as part of the risk assessment process. Each of the target tools was dealt with separately.

• Cut-off machines – HF presented result of tests carried out by Stihl indicating that the vibration measured according to EN 1454 is comparable to the vibration during typical use of the tool. There was recognition that guidance is required to inform users of the different productivity rates when using diamond and abrasive wheels. Since there is only three manufacturers producing these tools verification of the data could be carried out by manufacturer groups.
• Compaction machines – AS described the vibration test outlined in pr EN 500 – 4 2001, which replicated a typical application of these machines. It was recognised that the vibration from these machines varies considerably depending on the ground conditions and it may be appropriate to use both the average acceleration plus uncertainty for the purpose of an initial risk assessment. The database will need to include plate size as this can influence the vibration and will enable further tools categorisation to aid verification. Action: GB to confirm the status of pr EN 500-4 2001; PA to find out about the influence of different operating conditions.
• Jigger picks/Chipping hammers/Breakers – EN ISO 8662- pt 2, pt 5 and pt 14. GB reported that the results of 3-axes tests conducted on the dynaload specified in this standard compared very closely to the results on the OPERC website. The group discussed the suitability of multiplying factors presented in CEN/TR 15350 compared with 3-axes tests using a dynaload. No conclusion was made on the most appropriate approach. The group will use the data collected on these types of tools and the outcome of the proposed safe guard action before a decision is made.
• Demo hammers and Combi hammers. UB presented data, which compared the old EN 60745 standard with the new standard EN 20643 designed to produce the upper quartile vibration.

The group discussed the verification process to maintain confidence in the database. It was suggested that tool manufacturer trade associations are best positioned to verify vibration data as they have the necessary market surveillance information. The verified data could then be passed to the custodian of the database. For those manufacturers who do not belong to a trade association, members of the working group would carry out verification.

The group discussed the need for residual risk information to enable the machinery to be used safely. There was agreement that the information in the manufacturers information book should always be supplied with tools. In addition it may be beneficial to have generic guidance to reinforce important information on the safe use of each of the tools identified.

Action; DS to prepare templates for a database. ALL working group members to compile the necessary information to populate the data before the next meeting.

Whole working group session

Representatives from each of the sub-groups described the discussions to the whole of the group.

Close

Thanks were expressed to the group for a very positive meeting.