Hand arm vibration can be a significant health risk wherever powered hand tools are used for significant lengths of time. This is especially so in foundries construction and heavy fabrication including ship building.
HSE has identified some established good practice controls that can help to eliminate or reduce vibration risk in these industries and in others. HSE inspectors are promoting these controls during inspections in these sectors and will expect to see evidence of the elimination of vibration risks or of their reduction to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable. Where vibration risks remain, inspectors will be looking for evidence that the risks are being managed adequately and that suitable health surveillance is in place. Follow the industry links below for information on established good practice for managing HAV risks.
Foundries
- Table 1: Alternative processes to avoid / reduce use of vibrating equipment
- Table 2: Management of HAV risks where use of vibrating equipment is unavoidable
Table 1: Alternative processes to avoid / reduce use of vibrating equipment
This table identifies alternative methods for specified high risk activities or processes; and links to further information and case studies.
| Activity or process | Alternative methods | Further information (links) |
|---|---|---|
Knock-off, cut-off and fettling castings using: Large angle grinders Large straight grinders Chipping hammers Pedestal grinders |
Eliminate or reduce the need for manual knock-off/cut-off or fettling using, where appropriate:
Substitute alternatives to manual fettling using, for example:
Design of casting and runner systems should allow for these methods. Note: These methods for elimination and substitution will usually be reasonably practicable for large production runs; some may also be appropriate in jobbing foundries. |
|
| Knocking off ceramic mould shells with chipping hammer: | Hands-free alternative processes:
Frame-mounted breaker |
|
| Furnace/cupola descaling/lining removal with breaker or chipping hammer | Eliminate the use of hand-operated tools:
Reduce the frequency of lining renewal or slag chipping by:
|
|
Ramming moulds with: Sand rammers Electric demolition hammers |
In jobbing foundries, where hand-ramming of moulds cannot be eliminated, the risk can be controlled by;
|
Note: Changes of process to eliminate or reduce vibration may introduce other hazards to safety or health or safety (eg chemical, fume, spatter, noise, dust) which must be addressed and managed.
Table 2: Management of HAV risks where use of vibrating equipment is unavoidable
| Issue | Expectation | References and related guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Selection of work equipment | Tool selection can make a substantial difference to the vibration level but the tool must be suitable for the task and used correctly. Employers should demonstrate a sound procurement policy for power tools and hand-guided machines, showing they have considered the following:
|
|
| Limiting daily exposure time | Restricting exposure time ("finger-on-trigger" time) may be required to bring exposures below the ELV, even after all reasonably practicable measures to reduce vibration levels are in place. Maximum times can be determined using the exposure points system or supplier's "traffic lights" tool categories, but these should be derived from sound "real use" vibration emission values. Note: Employers tend to ask "How long can we use this tool?" The exposure must be reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable (Reg 6(2)), so the ELV should not be used as a target, if a lower exposure is reasonably practicable. |
|
| Other risk controls | Control of HAVS risk by means other than reducing vibration exposure:
|
|
| Information, instruction and training | Employees at risk from vibration should have received information on:
Look for evidence that tools are being used correctly, as recommended by the manufacturer. This may require operators to receive specified training – are operators and their supervisors aware of the need? For example, if an unsuitable abrasive is used, operators may resort to "bumping" the grinder against the casting; this can result in distortion of the wheel and increased vibration, and there is also a risk of wheel breakage. |
|
| Health surveillance | Required where the EAV is likely to be exceeded. Expect to see, as a minimum:
|
Construction
Table 1: Alternative processes to avoid/reduce use of vibrating equipment
This table identifies alternative methods for specified high risk activities or processes; and links to further information and case studies.
| Activity or process | Alternative methods | Further information (links) |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnelling by hand with clay spade or jigger pick. | Mechanised tunnelling methods, to eliminate hand digging. This is expected for all but the smallest tunnelling jobs. | |
| Breaking concrete, asphalt, etc. with hand-operated breakers in ground work, road maintenance, etc. Demolition of concrete/masonry using hand-held hammers/breakers |
Plan construction work (eg casting-in ducts, detail box-outs) to minimise breaking through new concrete/masonry. Use alternative method/equipment as appropriate:
|
Construction Industry Council guidance |
| Pile cropping using hand-held hammers/breakers | Pile cap removal using hand-operated breakers is not acceptable. Use alternative method as appropriate:
Note: some dressing using hand-operated tools may still be required. |
Pile cropping. A review of current practice (HSE Inspector information leaflet, Aug 02) |
| Scabbling using: needle scalers hammer type scabblers pole type scabblers |
Scabbling purely for architectural aesthetic effect is not acceptable. Specify finishes that do not require scabbling. (Some finishes can be designed into shuttering using special moulds or chemical retardants and water jetting.) Surface preparation to ensure a good concrete bond. Use alternative methods where technically appropriate:
|
Example: grit blasting |
| Wall chasing using hand-held breakers |
|
Construction Industry Council guidance |
| Drilling masonry/concrete using: electric hammer drills or "combihammers" |
Design and plan to avoid unnecessary drilling. Use, where appropriate:
|
Note 1: changes of process to eliminate or reduce vibration may introduce other hazards to health (eg noise, dust) or safety which must be addressed and managed (eg hazards associated with lifting operations in some mechanised methods for pile cap removal).
Table 2: Management of HAV risks where use of vibrating equipment is unavoidable
| Issue | Expectation | References and related guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Selection of work equipment | Tool selection can make a substantial difference to the vibration level but the tool must be suitable for the task and used correctly. Employers should demonstrate a sound procurement policy for power tools and hand-guided machines, showing they have considered the following:
|
|
| Limiting daily exposure time | Restricting exposure time ("finger-on-trigger" time) may be required to bring exposures below the ELV, even after all reasonably practicable measures to reduce vibration levels are in place. Maximum times can be determined using the exposure points system or supplier's "traffic lights" tool categories, but these should be derived from sound "real use" vibration emission values. Note: Employers tend to ask "How long can we use this tool?" The exposure must be reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable (Reg 6(2)), so the ELV should not be used as a target, if a lower exposure is reasonably practicable. |
|
| Other risk controls | Control of HAVS risk by means other than reducing vibration exposure:
|
|
| Information, instruction and training | Employees at risk from vibration should have received information on:
Look for evidence that tools are being used correctly, as recommended by the manufacturer. This may require operators to receive specified training – are operators and their supervisors aware of the need? In particular, breakers with suspended (sprung) handles designed to absorb vibration must be used correctly, and with appropriate force, or the potential reduction in vibration will not be achieved. |
|
| Health surveillance | Required where the EAV is likely to be exceeded. Expect to see, as a minimum:
In construction, short-term employment presents difficulties for managing health surveillance; cooperation between employers should be encouraged. |
Heavy steel fabrication (including shipyards)
Table 1: Alternative processes to avoid/reduce use of vibrating equipment
This table identifies alternative methods for specified high risk activities or processes; and links to further information and case studies.
| Activity or process | Alternative methods | Further information (links) |
|---|---|---|
Manual cutting of steel plate and re-working to correct component profile using:
|
Expect to see accurate pre-prep, cutting components to correct size, with a minimum of "green" . "Measure twice, cut once." Significant exposures from rework using grinders etc. should be challenged. Select suitable modern, precision processes for cutting out, as appropriate:
Note: improving accuracy and minimising manual reworking is also usually cost-effective. |
|
| Weld preparation and finishing using tools as above |
|
Noise reduction in the ship repair industry – research report 1992 |
| Removing fairing aids, lifting lugs, etc. using grinders | Design fairing and lifting processes to avoid temporary welded aids which must be removed by grinding.
|
Noise reduction in the ship repair industry – research report 1992 |
| Surface preparation using: needle scalers scaling hammers (piston type) deck planers, leaf-type scalers, peening tools |
Cleaning steel surfaces and preparing for painting. Use of scaling tools should be minimised (small and awkward areas only) and modern vibration-reduced tools should be used. Where reasonably practicable an appropriate alternative process should be used, for example:
|
Noise reduction in the ship repair industry – research report 1992 |
Note 1: Changes of process to eliminate or reduce vibration may introduce other hazards to safety or health or safety (eg chemical, fume, spatter, noise, dust) which must be addressed and managed.
Note 2: For shipyards, HSE policy since 1998 has been to serve an Improvement Notice for action plan/control where no progress has been made; Prohibition Notice for old design chipping or scaling tools used for more than 1 hour.
Table 2: Management of HAV risks where use of vibrating equipment is unavoidable
| Issue | Expectation | References and related guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Selection of work equipment | Tool selection can make a substantial difference to the vibration level but the tool must be suitable for the task and used correctly. Employers should demonstrate a sound procurement policy for power tools and hand-guided machines, showing they have considered the following:
|
|
| Limiting daily exposure time | Restricting exposure time ("finger-on-trigger" time) may be required to bring exposures below the ELV, even after all reasonably practicable measures to reduce vibration levels are in place. Maximum times can be determined using the exposure points system or supplier's "traffic lights" tool categories, but these should be derived from sound "real use" vibration emission values. Note: Employers tend to ask "How long can we use this tool?" The exposure must be reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable (Reg 6(2)), so the ELV should not be used as a target, if a lower exposure is reasonably practicable. |
|
| Other risk controls | Control of HAVS risk by means other than reducing vibration exposure:
|
|
| Information, instruction and training | Employees at risk from vibration should have received information on:
Look for evidence that tools are being used correctly, as recommended by the manufacturer. This may require operators to receive specified training – are operators and their supervisors aware of the need? For example, percussive tools with suspension systems designed to absorb vibration must be used correctly, and with appropriate force, or the potential reduction in vibration will not be achieved. |
|
| Health surveillance | Required where the EAV is likely to be exceeded. Expect to see, as a minimum:
|