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Hand and Arm Vibration Policy
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1. Hand and Arm Vibration Policy
1. The company have put in place measures to protect people from the risks of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which can be caused by exposure to vibration.
2. These measures will include:
  (1) Assessing the risks from vibration exposure.
  (2) Taking steps to reduce vibration exposure.
  (3) Taking into account vibration risks when purchasing or hiring equipment.
  (4) Providing training and information for people on the risks from vibration and the measures in place to reduce these.
  (5) Providing health surveillance where the risk assessment shows that this is appropriate.
3. This will enable the company to satisfy its obligations under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (2005) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999).
4. This policy does not cover the risks arising from Whole Body Vibration, which also arise from the above regulations; these are covered separately.
5. This Control of Hand Arm Vibration at Work policy is mandated - it is not an option. Business has a duty of care to help its people and people would be wise to consider their own health and the health of others.
6. This policy is subject to continual review and revision in compliance with ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard.

2. Glossary
HAV: Hand and Arm Vibration.
CVWR: Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (2005).
HSWR: Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999).
ELV: Exposure Limit Value.
EAL: Exposure Action Value.
HSEO: Health, Safety and Environment Office.
CSO: Company Safety Officer.
RIDDOR: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurances Regulations 2013.
"m/s 2": Meters per second squared as the measurement of vibration.

3. Exposure Limit Value and Exposure Action Value
1. Exposure Action Value - "2.5 m/s 2" A(8) (exposure averaged over a day).   (EAV) Wherever exposure at or above this level occurs, actions (including health surveillance) are required to control the risk.
2. Exposure Limit Value - "5 m/s 2" A(8) (exposure averaged over a day).   (ELV) This is the maximum vibration exposure permitted for any person on a single day.

4. Risk Assessment
1. Vibration risk assessment is required if people work with:
  (1) Hand held tools such as drills, breakers, sanders, chain saws, hedge trimmers.
  (2) Hand guided tools such as pedestrian lawn mowers, buffers.
  (3) Materials held against a vibrating object such as use of a grinder, timber being guided through a band saw.
2. Risk Assessment requires:
  (1) Assessment of the vibration magnitude from each piece of equipment used.   This may be provided by the manufacturer: however, manufacturers data will often come from testing under specific controlled conditions which are very different from normal working practices and therefore may significantly underestimate exposures in practice.   Alternate sources of data include websites which have measured vibration levels of equipment in real use. These include:
* http://www.las-bb.de/karla/index.htm
* http://www.operc.com/pages/havteclogin.asp
  (2) Measurement of vibration levels where published data is not available and there is reason to believe that individual exposure is potentially close to the ELV.   This must be carried out in discussion with the Health, Safety and Environment office.
  (3) Calculation of vibration exposure for individuals, taking into account equipment used and length of time in use (trigger time).   The Health and Safety Executive have produced a calculator which will enable conversion of working times and vibration magnitudes into an overall exposure factor.   It will also enable the summation of exposures if more than one piece of equipment is used.
* http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/vibrationcalc.htm
  (4) Identification of other risk factors, for example work in cold or wet environments increases the health risks from vibration exposure
  (5) Consideration of individual factors such as the presence of some health conditions may increase risk from vibration exposure; the way some people use equipment (posture, technique) may increase their vibration exposure from a particular activity by up to 50% compared to colleagues.
3. The risk assessment shall include an action plan which documents the measures already in place to reduce the risk from vibration exposure and any further measures planned.
4. The vibration risk assessment can be a stand alone document, or can be incorporated into the overall risk assessment document for a department or process where this is more appropriate.
5. The risk assessment shall be reviewed if there is any change in vibration exposure and at least annually.
6. The risk assessment for vibration and any associated measurement shall be carried out in conjunction with the Health, Safety and Environment Office to ensure that the assessor has the necessary skills and experience.

5. Reducing Risk from Vibration Exposure
1. Measures have been put in place to reduce vibration exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable - even if vibration levels are below the Exposure Action Value (EAV), consideration shall be given as to whether further reduction is practical.
2. Wherever vibration levels may exceed the EAV, assistance shall be sought from the Health, Safety and Environment Office to assist with risk assessment and reduction of vibration exposure.
3. Personal vibration exposure MUST NOT exceed the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) of "5 m/s 2".   The only exception to this is for occasional such as emergency work, where the ELV is exceeded on one day, but is at or close to zero for the rest of the week.
4. Measures to reduce risks from vibration exposure may include:
  (1) Replacing hand tools and equipment with alternatives which produce lower magnitudes of vibration.
  (2) Ensuring work activities are designed to take into account ergonomic principles and to encourage good posture.
  (3) Ensuring all equipment is properly maintained.
  (4) Reducing time exposed to vibration by using regular breaks and job rotation.
  (5) Providing suitable clothing to protect people from cold and damp.
  (6) Providing suitable training and information for all those exposed to vibration.
  (7) Automation and remote control tools are the recommended strategic direction.
  (8) Personal wearable HAV points monitor - like a wrist watch because each person is unique.

6. Health Surveillance
1. Exposure to vibration carries a risk of health effects and this is most likely with exposure above the EAV of "2.5 m/s 2", but may occur at lower exposures.
2. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) covers a number of different conditions, one or more may be present in an affected individual.
  (1) Vascular disorders (affecting circulation)- commonly blanching of the fingers (especially on exposure to cold or to vibration), often followed by blueness/redness as rewarming occurs.
  (2) Neurological disorders - including numbness, tingling of the fingers, reduced strength, reduced sensitivity and loss of dexterity.
  (3) Musculo skeletal symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, reduced strength and dexterity and carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Symptom severity worsens with continued exposure and may be disabling and irreversible.
4. In certain circumstances, HAVS is reportable under RIDDOR.
5. Health surveillance must be carried out for people who are regularly exposed to vibration above the exposure action value as "2.5 m/s 2"
6. Health surveillance will also be offered to those exposed below the EAV if they are at increased risk.   When a person reports a preexisting diagnosis of HAVS or any other condition of the hands, arms, wrists or shoulders, or any condition which affects circulation or nerve conduction such as diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome etc..
7. Health surveillance will involve:
  (1) Initial assessment prior to or very soon after first exposure.   This will usually be by questionnaire, with face to face follow-up where required.
  (2) Annual assessment - this will usually be by questionnaire.
  (3) Face to face review - this will be arranged if a questionnaire reveals symptoms; if an individual reports symptoms between health surveillance questionnaires; or at the annual appraisal.
8. Health surveillance will be carried out by Occupational Health.   All individual records will be held in confidence.   Where appropriate, summary results for groups of people will be reported back to a manager to indicate the effectiveness of vibration control.

7. Training and information
1. All people who are exposed to vibration shall be given training to include:
  (1) The health effects of hand-arm vibration.
  (2) Sources of hand-arm vibration.
  (3) Whether they are at risk and if so whether the risk is high (above the ELV), medium (above the EAV) or low.
  (4) The risk factors such as the levels of vibration, daily exposure duration, regularity of exposure over weeks, months and years.
  (5) How to recognize and report symptoms.
  (6) The need for health surveillance:
  (6.1) How monitoring can help people remain fit for work.
  (6.2) How to plan to provide monitoring.
  (6.3) How to plan to use the monitoring results.
  (6.4) How to keep the confidentiality of the results.
2. Ways to minimize risk including:
  (1) Changes to working practices to reduce vibration exposure.
  (2) Correct selection, use and maintenance of equipment.
  (3) Correct techniques for equipment use, how to reduce grip force etc.
  (4) Maintenance of good blood circulation at work by keeping warm and massaging fingers and, if possible, cutting down on smoking.
3. Face to face training may be provided by the Company Safety Officer if they are competent or can be arranged through the Health Safety and Environment office.
4. Alternatively training may be computer based or through use of leaflets.
5. Where new people are induction trained, they shall be made aware of the risks of vibration prior to first exposure.   This can be done at the same time as asking them to complete the initial health assessment form for return to Occupational Health.
6. In addition, people shall given appropriate training in the use of equipment.
7. This shall include periodic supervised practice to identify work practices which may increase risk such as poor postures, gripping equipment too tightly etc.

8. Responsibilities
1. Executives
  (1) The company Directors implement the vibration regulations within each division and ensure they have the necessary skills and competence.
  (2) They support the nominated people in implementing measures to comply with the vibration regulations.
  (3) They ensure all managers and people within each division discharge their responsibilities in accordance with this policy.
2. Managers and Supervisors
  (1) Understand the scope and content of the Vibration regulations where this is relevant to work in their division.
  (2) Ensure vibration factors are taken into account when hiring or purchasing new equipment.
  (3) Ensure that necessary vibration risk assessments have been undertaken for any equipment used by those in their charge.
  (4) Implement and enforce vibration control measures, in conjunction with the Company Safety Officer.
  (5) Ensure people are suitably trained in all aspects of operating equipment, including vibration control.
3. Company Safety Officer
  (1) Understand the scope and content of the vibration regulations.
  (2) Identify whether risk assessment is required within each division.
  (3) Ensure vibration factors are taken into consideration when purchasing new equipment.
  (4) Provide training and information for those who may be exposed to vibration.
  (5) Work with the Health, Safety and Environment Office:
  (5.1) To carry out vibration risk assessment when required.
  (5.2) To implement vibration control measures where appropriate.
  (5.3) To identify where health surveillance is required and inform Occupational Health.
  (5.4) To ensure new people submit an initial questionnaire to Occupational Health within the first week of employment (or the first week of exposure)
4. People (staff and contractors)
  (1) Use all equipment in accordance with instruction.
  (2) Ensure all equipment is well maintained.
  (3) Report any defects or difficulties with vibrating equipment.
  (4) Co-operate with the health surveillance procedure which is identified as necessary following risk assessment.
5. Health Safety and Environment Office
  (1) Assist with vibration risk assessment
  (2) carry out/arrange vibration measurement where appropriate
  (3) advise on vibration control measures
  (4) advise whether health surveillance is appropriate
  (5) provide/arrange training for nominated persons to ensure they are competent to carry out the activities outlined in 3b above
  (6) Audit compliance with this policy and the underpinning regulations
6. Occupational Health
  (1) Provide health surveillance on request
  (2) Give feedback and guidance on risk to individuals following health surveillance
  (3) Feedback group results from health surveillance to the appropriate manager
  (4) Advise the appropriate manager if there are restrictions on an individuals ability to work due to health risks

Document Control.
1. Document Title: Hand and Arm Vibration Policy.
2. Description: Hand and Arm Vibration Policy and guidelines.
3. Keywords: Hand and Arm Vibration Policy and guidelines.
4. Privacy: Shared with approved people for the benefit of humanity.
5. Edition: 1.1.
6. Issued: 2 Jan 2019.