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