Hand-arm vibration reduction on construction sites David Smeatham Noise and Vibration Specialist Inspector, Manchester

1. Hand-arm vibration reduction on construction sitesDavid SmeathamNoise and Vibration Specialist Inspector, Manchester

2. What is HAVS? • Regular long term exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) disrupts blood circulation • Vascular • Neurological • Musculo-skeletal • Painful and disabling

3. Occupational Health

4. What does an employer need to do? • Control of Vibration at Work Regs 2005 • Employers have duties to: • Assess • Control • Information, Instruction and Training • Check

5. Avoid the use of hand held tools (examples) Avoid the use of breakers! Avoid scabbling!

6. Choosing the right tool Availability of tools • Is it the best tool for the job? • Suitability • Efficiency • Is it low vibration? • Implement purchasing / hiring policy

7. Manage the exposure to HAV • Employers need to: • estimate the vibration from the tool; • Manufacturers’ data • Standards improving • Look at guidance • Trade Associations • Internet (databases) • Measurements (ISO 5349) • Time of use

8. Points and the regulations 100 points Action value- • Reduce as far as you can • Provide training • Provide health surveillance 400 points -Limit value- • 2007/2010 see leaflet

9. www.hse.gov.uk/vibration

10. Provide information • Information and training • Risks/symptoms • Control measures • Correct tool use • Keeping warm and dry (clothing & gloves) • Avoid smoking • Keep equipment well maintained • Tools • Attachments

11. Health surveillance • Workers exposed to greater than the action value (100 points) • Tiered approach • Top tier is a self administered questionnaire • Referrals to competent person (e.g. qualified occupational nurse)

12. Any questions? Thanks for listening! www.hse.gov.uk/vibration

13. HAV reduction on construction sites The role of the hire company Kevin MintonHire Association Europe

14. Manufacturer End user

15. Manufacturer Hire company End user

16. Manufacturer Hire company End user Purchasing

17. Manufacturer Hire company End user Purchasing Maintenance

18. PurchasingMaintenanceAdvising Manufacturer Hire company End user

19. Manufacturer Hire company End user PurchasingMaintenanceAdvisingTraining

20. Purchasing • Purchasing policy: lead or follow demand? • Low vibration, high efficiency equipment • Maintenance advice • Training for fitters • HAV data measured in accordance with [best available standards]

21. Maintenance • Planned in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance • Take care over anti-vibration systems

22. Advising • Upstream – active • Downstream – point of hire - reactive

23. Advising upstream • Tool selection focussed on job and environment • “… holes not drills …” • HSE, manufacturers’ & other sources

24. Advising at point of hire • Data in a useful format – or formats • Colour coded • Time to action value, time to limit value • Vibration ms-2 • HSE points

25. Advising at point of hire • Data on a label or swing-ticket • Figures from database • Advisory leaflet

26. OLD Green, amber, red Each item had one colour set by 8-hour exposure Transition between colours based on earlier guidance NEW Green, amber, red Each item has green, amber and red times Transitions based on action and limit values in regulations Information system 2007

27. Information system 2007 • NEW • Green, amber, red • Each item has green, amber and red times • Transitions based on action and limit values in regulations

28. Advising • Training programme for end users, supervisors • Operation of equipment can affect vibration by factor of [10] • Available on CD-ROM and flipover presenter

29. HAV reduction – hire company’s role • Purchasing • Maintenance • Advising • Training

30. HAV reduction – hire company’s role Any questions?