Health and Safety Executive

Health and Safety Executive

Hand-arm vibration reduction

on construction sites

David Smeatham

Noise and Vibration Specialist Inspector,

Manchester

What is HAVS?

• Regular long term exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) disrupts blood circulation– Vascular– Neurological– Musculo-skeletal

• Painful and disabling

Occupational Health

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100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

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What does an employer need to do?

Control of Vibration at Work Regs 2005

Employers have duties to:

• Assess• Control• Information, Instruction and Training• Check

Avoid the use of hand held tools (examples)

Avoid the use of breakers!

Avoid scabbling!

Choosing the right tool

Availability of tools

• Is it the best tool for the job?• Suitability• Efficiency

• Is it low vibration?

• Implement purchasing / hiring policy

Manage the exposure to HAV

Employers need to:estimate the vibration from the tool;• Manufacturers’ data• Standards improving• Look at guidance• Trade Associations• Internet (databases)• Measurements (ISO 5349)• Time of use

Points and the regulations

100 pointsAction value-• Reduce as far as you can• Provide training• Provide health surveillance

400 points-Limit value-• 2007/2010 see leaflet

www.hse.gov.uk/vibration

HAND-ARM VIBRATION EXPOSURE CALCULATOR

Vibration Time to reach EAV Time to reach ELV Exposure Partial Partial

magnitude 2.5 m/s2 A (8) time in min5 m/s2 A (8) time in minduration time in minsexposure partial expexposure

m/s² r.m.s. hours minutes hours minutes hours minutes m/s² A (8) points

Tool or process 1 0 0

Tool or process 2 0 0

Tool or process 3 0 0

Tool or process 4 0 0

Tool or process 5 0 0

Tool or process 6 0 0

Instructions for use: Daily Total

exposure exposure

Enter vibration magnitudes and exposure durations in the white areas. m/s² A (8) points

To calculate, press the Enter key, or move the cursor to a different cell.

The results are displayed in the yelllow areas.

Provide information

• Information and training– Risks/symptoms– Control measures– Correct tool use– Keeping warm and dry (clothing & gloves)– Avoid smoking

• Keep equipment well maintained– Tools– Attachments

Health surveillance

• Workers exposed to greater than the action value (100 points)• Tiered approach• Top tier is a self administered questionnaire• Referrals to competent person (e.g. qualified occupational nurse)

Any questions?

www.hse.gov.uk/vibration

Thanks for listening!

HAV reduction on construction sites

The role of the hire company

Kevin MintonHire Association Europe

Manufacturer

End user

Manufacturer

Hire company

End user

Manufacturer

Hire company

End user

Purchasing

Manufacturer

Hire company

End user

Purchasing

Maintenance

Manufacturer

Hire company

End user

Purchasing

Maintenance

Advising

Manufacturer

Hire company

End user

Purchasing

Maintenance

Advising

Training

Purchasing

• Purchasing policy: lead or follow demand?

• Low vibration, high efficiency equipment

• Maintenance advice

• Training for fitters

• HAV data measured in accordance with [best available standards]

Maintenance

• Planned in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance

• Take care over anti-vibration systems

Advising

• Upstream – active

• Downstream – point of hire - reactive

Advising upstream

• Tool selection focussed on job and environment

• “… holes not drills …”

• HSE, manufacturers’ & other sources

Advising at point of hire

• Data in a useful format – or formats– Colour coded– Time to action value, time to limit value– Vibration ms-2

– HSE points

Advising at point of hire

• Data on a label or swing-ticket

• Figures from database

• Advisory leaflet

Information system 2007

OLD

• Green, amber, red

• Each item had one colour set by 8-hour exposure

• Transition between colours based on earlier guidance

NEW

• Green, amber, red

• Each item has green, amber and red times

• Transitions based on action and limit values in regulations

Information system 2007

NEW

• Green, amber, red

• Each item has green, amber and red times

• Transitions based on action and limit values in regulations

Advising

• Training programme for end users, supervisors– Operation of equipment can affect vibration by

factor of [10]

• Available on CD-ROM and flipover presenter

HAV reduction – hire company’s role

• Purchasing

• Maintenance

• Advising

• Training

HAV reduction – hire company’s role

Any questions?