What’s hand-arm vibration?
Hand-arm vibration is vibration transmitted into your hands and arms when you use power tools, it can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome.
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, vibration white finger is classed as HAVS which can cause severe pain in the affected finger/s.
Carpel tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder which may involve pain, tingling and numbness and weakness in parts of the hand and can be caused by, among other things, exposure to vibration.
What is personal protective equipment?
All employers have a legal obligation to protect their employers from hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpel tunnel syndrome. If you feel like a task or job you’re carrying out is putting you more at risk of suffering then you should ask your employer if the job can be done a different way. If this is not possible you should:
- Ask to use suitable low vibration tools
- Always use the right tool for each job (to do the job quicker 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 a work piece more than you have to/li>
- Store tools so that they do not have very cold handles when next used
- Encourage good blood circulation by:
- Keeping warm and dry, eg wear warm waterproof clothing
- Giving up or cutting down on smoking because smoking reduces blood flow
- Massaging or exercising your fingers during work breaks
- Report any problems with your hands 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
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