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Hand-arm vibration management

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The HSE's advice on choosing an occupational health company

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30 employees with hand-arm vibration syndrome

Background to the case

PSV Glass and Glazing Ltd (P) installs and repairs glass windscreens and side windows of vehicles. As part of the task staff would sometimes need to remove old adhesive. This involved the use of oscillating and reciprocating saws, known as Fein cutters. Crucially, removing the adhesive was a long and difficult process, and individual workers could be required to do it for a whole shift. In August 2018 it became apparent that many of the staff had developed hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and reports were submitted to the HSE. Some were at an advanced stage and no longer able to work with vibrating tools due to the likelihood it would make things worse. The majority of the affected staff have been left in constant pain with sensitivity to cold.

Tip. HAVS is reportable to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 . You need to report it if: (1) a diagnosis is confirmed in writing by a doctor; and (2) the individual’s work involves regular use of percussive or vibrating tools, or holding materials subject to percussive processes, or processes causing vibration.

The investigation

HSE inspectors looked into the causes of the HAVS cases, and found that P had failed in a number of areas:

• inadequate assessment of the risk
• the health surveillance programme was too late
• not monitoring the use of the Fein cutters, i.e. not logging and checking the length of time the tool was used by each worker
• no measures to control exposure to vibration
• insufficient maintenance of tools.

In court

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 5(1), 6(1), 7(1) and 8(1) , Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 . It was fined £211,290 and ordered to pay costs of £11,120.

The cornerstone

Whilst vibration risk assessment might seem daunting, and guidance on the subject is complex, it takes very little know-how to pick up the phone to an occupational health provider and ask for help. Health surveillance was the one thing which could have been implemented early on and had an enormous impact on the outcome. This is because catching the effects early can prevent the condition becoming serious. Speaking after the hearing, the prosecuting inspector expressed frustration that HAVS health surveillance was not implemented before so many developed a severe and life-altering stage of the condition. It was all the more sad because many of those affected were so young.

Tip. If your staff use vibrating tools, find a local health surveillance provider without delay and get your workers booked in (see The next step ). The occupational health company you engage will help you with all the practicalities, such as how to introduce the programme to your staff.

Tip. To carry out a full audit of your arrangements for managing the risks of vibration, use our hand-arm vibration management checklist (see The next step ).

For a link to HSE advice on choosing an occupational health company and for a hand-arm vibration management checklist, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone , year 20, issue 10.