What are the specific risks for hand-arm vibration?

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a condition caused by regular exposure to and use of hand-held or hand guided power tools and machinery such as hammer drills, powered mowers, sanders and grinders.

The risk is that regular exposure to hand-held or guided vibrating machinery can lead to damage to blood vessels and joints in the hand, arm or wrist. HAVs is a painful condition and once the damage has been done it cannot be reversed.  

HAVS is a preventable condition however, and the university's position is to ensure work activities are managed and undertaken in such a manner as to protect all staff from the risk of developing HAVS. 

Work activities that could present the risk of HAVS must be risk assessed, with the assessment identifying the controls that must be implemented to prevent the risk of HAVS developing. 

The principal control is prevention, so for example, is the work using the vibrating equipment necessary or are alternative approaches possible?

If the work is required, can low vibration tools be used instead, for example substituting petrol powered handheld equipment for electrically powered equipment? Are tools properly maintained, for example is equipment regularly inspected for wear and tear, are cutting blades kept sharpened? Can the length of time the equipment is in use be reduced?

Staff undertaking activities which could present the risk of developing HAVS must receive training on the symptoms of HAVS and on the controls required to prevent it. Health surveillance is required for all staff potentially exposed to HAVS risk. 

The applicable legislation is the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. 

There is also a homepage that lists the range of Health and Safety risks identified as relevant to the University's activities and facilities, together with information on the University's policies and arrangements on how these risks are to be managed and controlled.