Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

                                                 Definition:

Hand Arm Vibration is vibration transmitted into your hands and arms when you use hand-held powered work equipment. Too much exposure to hand-arm vibration can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm. It can become severely disabling if ignored. It includes vibration white finger, which can cause severe pain in the affected fingers.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome on the other hand is a nerve disorder which may involve pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in parts of the hand, and can be caused by, among other things, exposure to vibration.

Early Signs and Symptoms

A. Tingling and numbness in the fingers which can cause sleep disturbance.

B. Not being able to feel things with your fingers.

C. Loss of strength in your hands which makes you less able to pick up or hold heavy objects.

D. During cold and wet, your fingers tips may go white then red and could become painful on recovery, this is vibration white finger as it is commonly called.

If you continue to use high-vibration tools these symptoms will probably get worse, the numbness in your hands could become permanent and you won’t be able to feel things at all

E. you will have difficulty picking up small objects such as screws or nails and the vibration white finger could happen more frequently and affect more of your fingers.

Some Hand Tools That Could Cause

Workers are at risk who regularly use hand-held or hand guided power tools and machines like: concrete breakers, concrete pokers, sanders, grinders, disc cutters, hammer drills, chipping hammers, chainsaws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, powered mowers, scabblers or needle guns. They are also at risk if they hold work-pieces which vibrate while being processed by powered machinery such as pedestal grinders.

How To Reduce the Risks

It is the employer’s responsibility to protect employees against Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), but employees should help by asking their employer if the job could be done in a different way without using vibrating tools and machines.

If this cannot happen, workers could

1. Ask to use suitable low-vibration tools.

2.  Always use the right tool for each job (to do the job more quickly with less exposure to hand-arm vibration).

3. 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.

4. Make sure cutting tools are kept sharp so that they remain efficient and effective.

5. Reduce the amount of time spent with a tool in one go, by doing other jobs in between, as much as possible.

6. Avoid gripping or forcing a tool or work-piece more than you have to.

7. Store tools so that they do not have very cold handles when next used.

8. Encourage good blood circulation by keeping warm and dry

9. Wear gloves, a hat, water-proofs and use heating pads if available

10. Give up or cut down on smoking (if you have the habit) because smoking reduces blood flow

11. Massage and exercise your fingers during work breaks.

A Few More Advise

A. Learn to recognize the early signs and symptoms of HAVS.

B. Report any symptoms promptly to your employer or the medical adviser - doctor.

C.  Use any control measures which your employer has put in place to reduce the risk.

D. Ask your safety specialist for advice.

Thank you