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Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
(HAVS)
Line Manager Guide
13-Apr-15 / 1
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What Will Be Covered
Health Effects of Exposure to Vibration
What is HAVS
What is CTS
The Law
Control Measures
Exposure levels explained
Small Plant Data sheet
Monitoring Exposure
Health Surveillance
Investigation
Further Guidance

13-Apr-15 / 2
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Health Effects of Exposure to Vibration
Regular and frequent exposure to hand-arm vibration can lead to two
health conditions
Hand Arm Vibration syndrome (HAVS)
and
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
13-Apr-15 / 3
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What is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome? HAVS
Symptoms and effects of HAVS include
tingling and numbness in the fingers which can result in an inability to
do fine work (e.g. assembling small components) or everyday tasks
(e.g. fastening buttons)

loss of strength in the hands which might affect the ability to do work
safely

the fingers going white (blanching) and becoming red and painful on
recovery, reducing ability to work in cold or damp conditions especially
outdoors

13-Apr-15 / 4
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What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? CTS
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the nerve that
controls sensation and movement in the hands
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in your wrist made up of small
bones and a tough band of tissue. It acts as a pulley for the tendons
that bend the fingers

Symptoms of CTS include tingling,
numbness, pain and weakness in the
hand which can interfere with work and
everyday tasks
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Symptoms of both may come and go, but with continued exposure to
vibration they may become permanent and cause pain, distress and
sleep disturbance

This can happen after only a few months of exposure, but in most
cases it will happen over a few years

13-Apr-15 / 6
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What the Law Says
The Control of Vibration Regulations 2005
say you must
Identify and measure exposure to eliminate or reduce risk of exposure
to hand arm vibration – risk assessments, tool selection

Make sure that the legal limits of exposure to vibration are not
exceeded


Ensure control measure are properly applied – e.g. job rotation

Provide information, instruction and training to employees – briefings

Provide suitable health surveillance – and ensure compliance*
13-Apr-15 / 7
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Control Measures

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
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Elimination – change the way of work so that vibrating tools are no
longer used
Substitution – replacing tools with ones with lower vibration emission
Task Considerations – does the task need to be done manually or can
it be mechanised?
Task Rotation – within each shift make sure that individuals change
the tasks that they do so that they do not breach the
exposure levels (EAV or ELV)
Monitor Individual’s Vibration Exposure
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13-Apr-15 / 8
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EAV and ELV explained
EAV Exposure Action Value 2.5m/s² A (8)
The level at which measures should be introduced to eliminate or
control risk to be as low as possible
ELV Exposure Limit Value 5m/s² A (8)
The level which should not be exceeded and at which immediate
action should be taken to reduce vibration exposure

The exposure limit value (ELV) is the maximum amount of vibration an
employee may be exposed to on any single day
13-Apr-15 / 9
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Points System
The points system has been devised by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) to simplify measuring daily exposure to vibration

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The system converts the vibration (m/s²) into points
100 points per day = exposure action value (EAV)
400 points per day = exposure limit value (ELV)
13-Apr-15 / 10
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HAVS Data Sheet

Found on Safety Central
Contains vibration data on each tool approved for use by Network Rail

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Details how much trigger time will be needed to reach the EAV or ELV
Breaks down the points accumulated into 5 minute blocks for easy
calculation

13-Apr-15 / 11
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Monitoring Vibration Exposure
Exposure to vibration can be measured either by
a paper based record completed by the employee
or
Using technology – an electronic vibration monitoring device

It is important to have an understanding of each persons exposure to
be able to identify employees at risk and to control the risk
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Responsibilities
Line Manager –
Know which employees are at risk
 Provide information to employees
 Ensure control measures are in place
 Plan tasks to eliminate or reduce exposure
 Ensure employees take part in health surveillance
Investigate when a new or worsening case of HAVS is identified
Employee –
Know how to spot early signs of HAVS
Report any problems to their line manager
Take part in health surveillance
Make sure control measures are used correctly
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Mandatory Health Surveillance
The first health surveillance check should be carried out before the
employee starts to use vibrating tools – a guide should be to arrange
the surveillance before booking training or competency sessions


A further health check is needed 6 months after starting to use tools
then
Every employee exposed to vibration on a regular basis should take
part in annual health surveillance

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Mandatory Health Surveillance
Tier 1 – first stage of health surveillance before using tools using
questionnaire
Tier 2 – second stage using questionnaire for annual surveillance
Tier 3 – a face to face appointment with a nurse carried out every third
year or if any concerns are highlighted
Tier 4- a face to face appointment with a physician who can give a
diagnosis of HAVS
13-Apr-15 / 15
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Managing Health Surveillance

Know which employees are at risk
Update HRSS with names of those employees who are exposed to
vibration when requested


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Monitor compliance by tracking completion of questionnaire and
attendance at appointments
Carry out health briefings
Follow health surveillance guidance within HAVS management
standard

13-Apr-15 / 16
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Investigation Process
The investigation process should always be carried out when
new or worsening cases
of HAVS are identified as this could mean that the control
measures have failed
The outcome of every employees HAVS assessment will be available
on Oracle


Investigations should always include the employee, a trained
investigator and a health and safety professional
Look at areas such as the individuals vibration exposure, tools used
and maintenance schedules, working hours including overtime, task
rotation compliance
13-Apr-15 / 17
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What to do if an Employee has HAVS

The fit slip from OH will advise on any restrictions on working –
Always follow advice from Occupational Health

Reduce/restrict vibration exposure as directed

Spend time with the employee outlining any restrictions

Ensure that employee complies with subsequent health surveillance

Encourage the employee to report any further concerns they may have
13-Apr-15 / 18
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Need Help?

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
Presentations, Factsheets and Briefings on Health Portal
People who can help - safety representatives, trade union reps,
occupational health provider, HRSS,
occupational specialists and managers
HAVS standard and guidance documents on Connect
13-Apr-15 / 19
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Questions?
13-Apr-15 / 20