Vibration checks for worker health

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 8, 2006

Help for employers to comply with HSE Control of Vibration at Work Regulations requiring maximum levels of exposure to vibration equipment in the workplace to prevent hand-arm vibration syndrome.

AV Technology is helping employers comply with new regulations requiring strict maximum levels of exposure to vibration equipment in the workplace to help prevent hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations published by the Health and Safety Executive, which came into effect in July 2005, impose significant additional duties on employers to assess and lower exposure to the risk of vibration at work.

Hand-arm vibration mainly affects people who regularly use vibrating pneumatic, electrical hydraulic or petrol powered hand tools.

It is vibration transmitted from work processes into workers' hands and arms.

It covers a range of conditions collectively known as HAVS, as well as specific diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Regular and frequent use can lead to permanent health symptoms that can include: tingling and numbness in the fingers; loss of strength in the hands; the fingers going white (blanching); and painful hands and arms.

Noise and Vibration Divisional Manager for AVT Alan Matthews said: "The regulations require the employer to assess and monitor vibration levels in the workplace and take action to ensure they comply with the stated levels of vibration exposure, called the exposure action value (EAV) and exposure limit value (ELV)".

"Testing and monitoring these levels are important, not just to comply with the new duties required by the regulations, but also to increase productivity and give employees peace of mind".

The EAV is a daily amount of vibration exposure above which employers are required to take action.

The greater the exposure level, the greater the risk and the more employers will need to do to reduce the risk.

The ELV is the maximum amount of vibration an employee may be exposed to on any single day.

It represents a high risk above which employees should not be exposed.

AVT is a long-time specialist in the field and recently provided research for the HSE in HAVS, including a book of case studies on the subject entitled Vibration Solutions.

AVT can provide consultation, measuring and monitoring of vibration levels in compliance with the new regulations.

"AVT is the most obvious choice for testing exposure to vibration levels in the workplace, with the latest technological equipment and engineers with over 30 years experience in vibration monitoring; businesses can feel assured that they will receive accurate results and recommendations," said Matthews.

He warned that testing was critical as vibration levels quoted by manufacturers could be inaccurate.

"It is vital that testing is carried out by authorised professionals, as research has revealed that estimates of vibration exposure quoted by some manufacturers can often be much lower than what they are in reality, and often the levels differ according to how often the equipment is used and the environment in which it is utilised".

AVT measures exact vibration levels and provides written reports to employers, ensuring they have an accurate and reliable source of information.