hand-arm vibration syndrome (havs) a case study

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

A Case Study

Dave Sinclair Health & Safety Audit Manager 9th January 2014

What I will cover

Introduction

What I will cover

Introduction

How do we control the risks

What I will cover

Introduction

How do we control the risks

Interaction with the HSE

What I will cover

Introduction

How do we control the risks

Interaction with the HSE

Review of processes and practises

What I will cover

Introduction

How do we control the risks

Interaction with the HSE

Review of processes and practises

How can I record vibration and what kit is available to help me

What I will cover

Introduction

How do we control the risks

Interaction with the HSE

Review of processes and practises

How can I record vibration and what kit is available to help me

All of it will merge / crossover to a degree as I go along

Introduction

Extensive Policy, Process and Practise documentation in place

Introduction

Extensive Policy, Process and Practise documentation in place

Medical Surveillance

• Pre-employment assessment prior to undertaking vibration

work and joining a Closed User Group (CUG)

• Annual surveillance where all CUG members complete a

short self assessment

• Qualified person assessment for CUG members describing

symptoms from above to quantify the problem

• Diagnostic assessment (first time or worsening) formal

diagnosis and advice on further management

• Specialist standardised testing for CUG members

suspended on health grounds relating to vibration exposure

Introduction

Extensive Policy, Process and Practise documentation in place

Medical Surveillance

What could go wrong?

Introduction

Extensive Policy, Process and Practise documentation in place

Medical Surveillance

What could go wrong?

Nothing

Introduction

Extensive Policy, Process and Practise documentation in place

Medical Surveillance

What could go wrong?

Nothing

But it did – letter from HSE

How do we control the risks

Equipment

How do we control the risks

Equipment

– Reviewed by Chief Engineer’s Team / Safety Team

– Fit for purpose

– Arrange any risk assessments or reviews

How do we control the risks

Equipment

– Reviewed by Chief Engineer’s Team / Safety Team

– Choose low vibration equipment (new or replacement)

How do we control the risks

Equipment

– Reviewed by Chief Engineer’s Team / Safety Team

– Choose low vibration equipment (new or replacement)

– Brought in through our Supply Chain

How do we control the risks

Equipment

– Reviewed by Chief Engineer’s Team / Safety Team

– Choose low vibration equipment (new or replacement)

– Brought in through our Supply Chain

– Manager records equipment on esiTest

How do we control the risks

Equipment

– Reviewed by Chief Engineer’s Team / Safety Team

– Choose low vibration equipment (new or replacement)

– Brought in through our Supply Chain

– Manager records equipment on esiTest

– Checked via esiTester

– Accredited supplier where appropriate

– esiTester checks compliance certification

How do we control the risks

Equipment

Individual

– Trained on use / restrictions for equipment

– Active Monitoring System (safety checks)

– Closed User Groups

– Medical Surveillance as appropriate

How do we control the risks

Equipment

Individual

– Trained on use / restrictions for equipment

– Active Monitoring System (safety checks)

– Closed User Groups

– Medical Surveillance as appropriate

– This is where it had gone wrong

How do we control the risks

Equipment

Individual

– Trained on use / restrictions for equipment

– Active Monitoring System (safety checks)

– Closed User Groups

– Medical Surveillance as appropriate

– This is where it had gone wrong

– Change of supplier

How do we control the risks

Equipment

Individual

– Trained on use / restrictions for equipment

– Active Monitoring System (safety checks)

– Closed User Groups

– Medical Surveillance as appropriate

– This is where it had gone wrong

– Change of supplier

– Told to report condition (again) under RIDDOR

Interaction with the HSE

Provide copies of all our documentation

– Policy / Processes / Practises

– Risk Assessments including Generic Risk Assessments

(GRA)

Interaction with the HSE

Provide copies of all our documentation

Discussed our training arrangements, in particular

– R2L

– Active Monitoring System (AMS) Safety Checks

Interaction with the HSE

Provide copies of all our documentation

Discussed our training arrangements

Agreed to review above again with focus on Poling Work

– Update risk assessments

– Create new task related GRA

– Points system to be added

– HSE would be Happy

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

– Drill bits

– Eye Bolts

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

– Drill bits

– Eye Bolts

– Resistograph

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

Review tasks

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

Review tasks

– Speak to manager

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

Review tasks

– Speak to manager

– Speak to engineer

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

Review tasks

– Speak to manager

– Speak to engineer

– Paper record – Time

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

Review tasks

– Speak to manager

– Speak to engineer

– Paper record – Time

– HAVI record – Points

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

Review tasks

Revised Task GRA The exposure calculations in each of the scenarios were carried out using the HSE Hand-Arm vibration Calculator, downloadable from the HSE website.

Manual erection of a DP pole, difficult conditions, no stay anchor required, chain saw used to cut up pole. (3 man team)

This scenario looks at the situation where it is not possible to use the PEU (Pole Erection Unit) to erect the pole. The

ground conditions are such that the road breaker is used for up to one hour to break through a concrete top surface,

followed by a manual excavation of the pole hole. Following the erection of the pole, a maximum of six drop wire fixings

per person have to be renewed. When the drop wires have been transferred to the new pole, the old pole has to be

recovered by cutting it up on site with a chain saw.

Vibration

Magnitude

Time to reach EAV

2.5 m/s2 A(8)

Time to reach ELV 5

m/s2 A(8) Exposure duration

Partial

exposure

Exposure

Points

Tool or process m/s2 rms Hours Minutes Hours Minutes Hours

Minutes m/s2 rms

Use of Road

Breaker 6.8 1 5 4 20

20 1.4 31

Use of power drills

to fix drop wires to

walls 16 12 47

3 1.3 26

Use of chainsaw 9.4 34 2 16

10 1.4 29

Daily

exposure

m/s2 A(8)

Total

Exposure

Points

2.3 86

Review of processes and practises

Tools and equipment

Review tasks

Revised Task GRA

Equipment Vibration

(m/s2)

Vector sum

Action

Value

mins/day

Exposure

Limit

mins/day

Exposure Points /minute (m)

SAWS AND BREAKERS 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m

Atlas Copco - Cobra Mk I Road Breaker Light PED* 6.8 65 260 2 3 5 6 8

B & D Chop Saw DW871 2.5 (5.0) 120 260 1 2 3 3 4

B & D Circular Saw DW365 2.5 (5.0) 120 260 1 2 3 3 4

B & D Cordless Trimsaw DW935K2, 936K2 2.5 (5.0) 120 260 1 2 3 3 4

B & D Jigsaw Cordless DW933K2, 321K 2.5 (5.0) 120 260 1 2 3 3 4

B & D Jigsaw DW320K 2.5 (5.0) 120 260 1 2 3 3 4

Bosch GFZ 14-35a Power Hand Saw 4.0 (8.0) 47 188 2 4 6 9 11

Bosch UBH 2/20 (240V)** 31.1 3 12 32 65 97 129 161

JCB 929/22200 Nitrogen Damped - Hydraulic 7.4 (14.8) 14 55 7 15 22 29 37

Stihl Chain Saw 110v E14QS** 4.8 130 521 1 2 2 3 4

Stihl Chain Saw E 14 PED 4.7 (9.4) 34 136 3 6 9 12 15

Makita Chain Saw DCS 430 3.4 (6.8) 65 260 2 3 5 6 8

MISCELLANEOUS

A.L.H. Systems Discriminatory Borer* 16.2 11 45 9 18 26 35 44

B & D Belt Sander DW650 2.5 (5.0) 120 260 1 2 3 3 4

B & D Decker Finishing Sander DW634 4.5 (9.0) 37 148 3 5 8 11 14

B & D Grinder 180mm DW840 5.0 (10.0) 30 120 3 7 10 13 17

B & D Grinder 230mm DW490 5.0 (10.0) 30 120 3 7 10 13 17

B & D Grinder 115mm DW818 5.0 (10.0) 30 120 3 7 10 13 17

B & D Grinder 125mm DW825 5.0 (10.0) 30 120 3 7 10 13 17

B & D Grinder 125mm DW830 5.0 (10.0) 30 120 3 7 10 13 17

B & D Planer 1.5, 2.5 & 4mm DW676/7/8 2.5 (5.0) 120 260 1 2 3 3 4

B & D Roughing Sander DW636 7.4 (14.8) 14 55 7 15 22 29 37

B & D Router DW620, 621 2.5 (5.0) 120 260 1 2 3 3 4

B & D Router DW625 1.3 (2.6) 444 1440 0 0 1 1 1

B & D Screwdriver Cordless (Impact) DW977K 4.95 (9.9) 31 122 3 7 10 13 16

How can I record vibration and what kit is available to help me

Manual calculations carried out using the HSE Hand-Arm

vibration Calculator, downloadable from the HSE website.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/vibrationcalc.htm

How can I record vibration and what kit is available to help me

Manual calculations carried out using the HSE Hand-Arm

vibration Calculator, downloadable from the HSE website.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/vibrationcalc.htm

HAVI Meter

Reactec Havmeter

How can I record vibration and what kit is available to help me

How can I record vibration and what kit is available to help me

What I have covered

How do we control the risks

Interaction with the HSE

Review of processes and practises

How can I record vibration and what kit is available to help me

What I have covered

How do we control the risks

Interaction with the HSE

Review of processes and practises

How can I record vibration and what kit is available to help me

Thank you for listening