The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 are designed to protect employees from the ill health effects of hand-arm vibration (HAV) at work.

The biggest risk is to those working in construction, agriculture/ground maintenance. However, there may be a small number of BCC employees who may be at risk due to the nature of their work, for example, Caretakers/Site Managers, grounds maintenance employees, and Technicians.

The types of equipment and tools that could cause a health risk include strimmers, lawn mowers, and handheld power tools. Ill health is caused by regular and frequent exposure to hand-arm vibration; occasional exposure is unlikely to cause ill health.

Health risks to those exposed include tingling and numbness in the fingers, inability to feel things properly, loss of strength in the hands, and pain in the fingers in cold and wet conditions, these effects can be permanent and can severely affect work and social activities.

Find out if any employees carry out tasks, which may expose them to vibration (a list of the types of equipment which may cause a problem is listed in Appendix 2).

If they do:

• Carry out a more detailed survey of the equipment in use using the form in Appendix 1.
• Ask employees if they have any symptoms of HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome)
• Contact the Health and Safety Team for further advice and assistance.
• Ensure they wear warm clothing to maintain good blood circulation.

When purchasing handheld equipment check that it will be suitable for the task and compare vibration emission information for different brands and models (noise levels should be checked in the same way). Take into account suitability, vibration emission, efficiency, and your specific requirements. Bear in mind equipment may have a higher vibration emission level but do the job in a quarter of the time of a lower vibration model leading to a lower exposure to HAV overall.

If you regularly use hand-held or hand-guided power tools or machines (examples of the types of equipment are listed in Appendix 1).

• Make sure your Manager has carried out an assessment of the risks of HAV.
• Report possible vibration damage to your Manager, early signs include tingling or numbness in the fingers, not being able to feel things with your fingers, loss of strength in your hands, in cold or wet conditions the tips of your fingers going white then red and being painful on recovery.
• Make sure you understand and follow the control measures listed in any HAV risk assessment.
• Follow the guidance set out in Appendix 3.

Further information and advice HAVS is available from the Health and Safety Team.

Hand-arm vibration: Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (HSE.GOV.UK)

Hand-arm vibration: Advice for employees, Pocket card INDG296 (rev 2), HSE books (text reproduced in Appendix 3)

Hand-Arm Vibration at Work, A brief guide INDG 175 (rev 3)

Examples of tools and equipment that may be a hand-arm vibration risk

This is not a comprehensive list, similar types of equipment should also be listed on the attached sheet.

Agricultural/Grounds Maintenance

• Chainsaw
• Brush Cutter
• Hedge trimmer
• A powered lawn mower (not ride on)
• Strimmer
• Leaf blower
• Pressure washer

Building Maintenance

• Floor sander
• Polisher
• Angle grinder
• Disc cutter
• Hammer drill
• Power hammer

Technology Equipment

• Jigsaw
• Pedestal grinder

Any handheld machinery such as sanders, grinders, and routers

Hand-Arm Vibration Advice for Employees

What is hand-arm vibration?

Hand-arm vibration is vibration transmitted into your hands and arms when you use hand-held powered work equipment. Too much exposure to hand-arm vibration can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome.

What is hand-arm vibration syndrome?

HAVS affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and joints of the hand, wrist, and arm. It can become severely disabling if ignored.

It includes vibration white finger, which can cause severe pain in the affected fingers.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder which may involve pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in parts of the hand, and can be caused by, among other things, exposure to vibration.

What are the early signs and symptoms to look out for?

• Tingling and numbness in the fingers (which can cause sleep disturbance).
• Not being able to feel things with your fingers.
• Loss of strength in your hands (you may be less able to pick up or hold heavy objects).
• In the cold and wet, the tips of your fingers going white then red and being painful on recovery (vibration white finger).

If you continue to use high-vibration tools these symptoms will probably get worse, for example:

• the numbness in your hands could become permanent and you won’t be able to feel things at all;
• you will have difficulty picking up small objects such as screws or nails;
• the vibration white finger could happen more frequently and affect more of your fingers.

When am I at risk?

You are at risk if you regularly use hand-held or handguided power tools and machines such as:

• concrete breakers, concrete pokers;
• sanders, grinders, disc cutters;
• hammer drills;
• chipping hammers;
• chainsaws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, powered mowers;
• scabblers or needle guns.

You are also at risk if you hold workpieces which vibrate while being processed by powered machinery such as pedestal grinders.

How can I help reduce the risks?

It is your employer’s responsibility to protect you against HAVS and carpal tunnel syndrome, but you should help by asking your employer if your job could be done in a different way without using vibrating tools and machines. If this cannot happen:

• Ask to use suitable low-vibration tools.
• Always use the right tool for each job (to do the job more quickly and expose you to less hand-arm vibration).
• Check tools before using them to make sure they have been properly maintained and repaired to avoid increased vibration caused by faults or general wear.
• Make sure cutting tools are kept sharp so that they remain efficient.
• Reduce the amount of time you use a tool in one go, by doing other jobs in between.
• Avoid gripping or forcing a tool or workpiece more than you have to.
• Store tools so that they do not have very cold handles when next used.
• Encourage good blood circulation by: Wearing clothing provided to keep warm and dry, giving up or cutting down on smoking because smoking reduces blood flow; and massaging and exercising your fingers during work breaks

What else can I do?

• Learn to recognise the early signs and symptoms of HAVS.
• Report any symptoms promptly to your employer or the person who does your health checks.
• Use any control measures your employer has put in place to reduce the risk of HAVS.
• Ask your trade union safety representative or employee representative for advice.

Help your employer to stop HAVS and carpal tunnel syndrome before they become a problem for you.

Information from the Health and Safety Executive INDG296 06/14. Hand Arm Vibration a Guide for Employees.