Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Hand-arm vibration exposure calculator and publication updated
The Health & Safety Executive has made updates to a hand-arm vibration (HAV) publication and tool. HSE's HAV exposure calculator helps estimate and record workers' exposures to HAV and compare them with the actions values in the regulations as part of a HAV risk assessment.
It includes drop down vibration magnitudes for common tools from HSE's HAV database that can be used to make cautious estimates of exposure before representative in-use data for specific tools is available.
The HSE guidance book L140, Hand-arm vibration, has also been revised.
The new edition has been updated in keeping with changes to related legislation, technical advances and experience. The emphasis is on the control and management of risks from exposure to hand-arm vibration.
HSE's policy on the control of HAV has not changed.
HAV is a hazard for employees in many industries and occupations including some of those that operate cleaning and maintenance machinery. Regular and frequent exposure to HAV can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
HAVS is a permanent disease, causing disability which can progress with continued exposure to HAV. HAVS and vibration-induced CTS together account for two thirds of the ill-health cases reported through RIDDOR.
Following HSE guidance will reduce incidence and prevent progression of disease.
The book can be purchased through HSE Books or it is available at the website to be downloaded for free.
19th September 2019