Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) & Vibration White Finger (VWF) are potentially serious conditions affecting the hands & fingers. Damage may be caused to blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints through the use of vibratory tools.

HAVS in one of the most common occupational diseases today.

Symptoms & effects may include:

Who is at risk?

Anyone who is exposed to hand transmitted vibration at work may be at risk. This may result from regular use of vibratory tools. Many different types of tools can cause this including:

Road drills         Concrete breakers           Hand-held grinders

Impact drills     Chipping hammers         Stihl saws etc

Legal requirements

Control of Vibration at Work Regs July 2005        

Employer’s duty (Irrespective of exposure level) to:

Assess risk to health from HAV & take steps to control risks.

Eliminate vibration at source/ reduce to a minimum

Provide information & training to employees on vibration risks and control measures

Provide health surveillance

Health surveillance: Tiered Approach

HSE recommends a tiered approach and that all doctors and occupational health nurses conducting health surveillance for HAVS have completed a 2.5 day course approved by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.

All Ashling staff who undertake this surveillance have successfully completed this course including the assessment

Further details & HSE  “online” risk calculator”  www. hse.gov.uk/vibration


Reduce the risk

The risk can be reduced in a number of ways including:

Awareness of  potential health effects & early  reporting of symptoms. Ashling can provide this training

Training of users regarding proper use of tools

Well designed tools

Engineering controls to minimise vibration

Job rotation/limited time spend using tools

Futher Details

Please contact:

Jenny Guest

Operation Manager

Jenny@ashling.co.uk

Office hours
Monday to Friday
8am to 4.15pm