HAVs Impact of Rivet Busters
HAVS - Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
Hand-arm vibration (HAV) comes from the use of hand-held power tools and is the cause of significant ill health - painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves and joints.
HAV exposure logging is becoming more and more important with companies although at present it is not a legal requirement to log exposure.
Companies are logging employee’s exposure data for potential future insurance claims and some insurance companies will insist employee HAV exposure is logged.
Companies should carry out a risk assessment to establish what method of data collection they should use and what level of exposure they deem to be an acceptable risk.
Health and safety manuals reference a points-based system in which levels of tool vibration and hours of exposure are assigned points. Points are then cross referenced with a table to establish the level of exposure that has incurred.
There is an action level of 100 points and an overall limit of 400 points.
How is HAV exposure logged?
HAV exposure can be logged:
- Manually using the tables detailed on health and safety websites
- Measured with the aid of electronic timers or vibration meters
Why is HAV exposure measured?
HAV exposure is measured and monitored so that workers are not over exposed to HAV.
For the operator, over exposure can lead to personal injury.
For an employer, over exposure leads to lost time as operators recuperate as well as possible insurance claims.