Richard Davies, Corporate Account Executive at BHIB Insurance Brokers provides an update on the impact of vibration-based injuries.
VIBRATION injuries can cause ill health in workers who are frequently exposed to it.
There are two major types: hand-arm vibration (HAV) and whole-body vibration (WBV).
HAV can be caused by operating hand-held power tools, such as road breakers, and hand-guided equipment, such as powered lawnmowers. It can also be caused by holding materials that are being processed by hand-fed machines, such as pedestal grinders. Occasional exposure is unlikely to cause ill health.
WBV mainly affects drivers of vehicles used off-road, such as dumpers, excavators and agricultural tractors. However, it can also affect drivers of some vehicles used on paved surfaces, such as lift trucks, or on rails, such as gantry cranes.
HAV causes hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), a painful and disabling condition that affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints of the hands and arms. HAVS causes tingling and numbness in the fingers, reduces grip strength and the sense of touch, and decreases blood circulation (which leads to vibration white finger, also known as VWF).
WBV is associated mostly with lower back pain. However, back pain can also be caused by other work or injuries, such as manual handling and postural strains, and while exposure to vibration and shocks may be painful for people with back problems, it will not necessarily be the cause of the problem.
As an employer there are some simple steps that you can take to help minimise vibration based injuries.
You can assess the vibration risk to your employees to identify problems and put appropriate control measures in place to counter the risks.
Where the risk remains, it is important to provide Health and Safety advice and guidance.
One of the most important things you can also do is provide information and training on health risks (and the actions being taken to control those risks) to your employees. The more informed your workforce is, the better.
To read more and download our latest Health and Safety Update go to bit.ly/bhib-vibration or, alternatively, contact Richard on 0330 024 06 06 or email