Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
How to control / reduce vibration exposure
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is caused by vibration transmitted from work machinery into workers' hands and arms. It can arise from the use of hand held machinery that vibrates, including chainsaws.
Early Stages of HAVS include:
- loss of strength in hands
- fingers going white when using tools an dthen become red and painful on recovery
- pain is usually most severe at the fingertips
To help control / eliminate vibration exposure the follwoing is recommended:
- Eliminating or reducing exposure at the source (i.e. can the job be undertaken a different way)
- adopting a purchasing policy where reduced-vibration equipment is selected
- Train operators how to reduce vibration exposure
- Make sure work equipment is maintained in good condition
- Put time limits on the use of certain machinery and rotate usage between employees to reduce exposure
