Hand/Arm Vibration continued

What’s the issue?

The Health and Safety Executive notes that the effects of HAVS include “pain, distress and sleep disturbance, inability to do fine work or everyday tasks (such as fastening buttons), reduced ability to do work in cold or damp conditions and reduced grip strength. These effects can severely limit the jobs an affected person is able to do, as well as many family and social activities.” The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations are designed to mitigate such health risks and, amongst other things, require employers to assess the vibration risk to employees. Where a risk exists, employers are required to provide health surveillance, to record exposure in relation to Exposure Limit Values and to introduce a programme of controls to eliminate risk or reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.

Recording usage of vibrating tools

Using sensors fitted to tools or equipment, In Touch wireless technology feeds back real-time data to a central source, identifying the nature, location and duration of the work being undertaken.

To date, several prototypes have been developed, the most recent of which records workers’ usage of vibrating tools. Users carry personal ‘NEMO’ devices that automatically record all interactions with the vibrating equipment, and the tools themselves are fitted with sensors that can record parameters such as vibration, sound and temperature. As well as displaying exposure times to the operator to help ensure safe working practices, records can be uploaded to a central database via a standard in-vehicle unit located on site. The data thus gathered can provide Health & Safety information on how each device is being used, though NEMO can also record the time and duration of each period of tool usage. Internet access to this information ensures that data can be monitored, analysed and evaluated 24/7.