Nancy Henry HSENI Inspector Lead Inspector for noise and vibration - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Nancy Henry HSENI Inspector Lead Inspector for noise and vibration

content � What is the problem � What are the health effects � Sources of vibration � Legal requirements � Sources of information � Solutions � Questions

What’s the problem! Courtesy of OPERC

� What is hand-arm vibration? � Hand-arm vibration is vibration transmitted into your hands and arms e.g. when you use hand-held powered work equipment. � Too much exposure to hand-arm vibration can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome.

• About 5 million exposed to HAV at work • About 1 million exposed above ELV • Greatest numbers in construction industry and related trades but highest levels in Foundries, stone masons and heavy fabrication.

Serious, disabling and costly … … but preventable

Health effects � Neurological component � numbness, tingling, reduced sense of touch & temperature � main cause of disability in advanced cases

Health effects � Vascular component � “vibration white finger” � episodes of finger blanching � typically cold-induced attacks

Health effects Musculoskeletal component Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder which may involve pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in parts of the hand.

What causes the problem Vibrating hand held tools

Nail gun Mixing plaster

Angle grinder Chainsaw

Hammer action tools

Stationary work piece e.g. grinding, sanding

Stationery work piece e.g. riveting

hand guided machinery � rammer � Plate compacter

Strimmers Hedge cutters

IDENTIFY Do your employees regularly operate hammer action • tools for more than about 15 minutes per day; or Some rotary and other action tools for more than about • one hour per day You are also at risk if you hold work pieces, which • vibrate while being processed e.g. powered machinery such as pedestal grinders.

ASSESS � Risk assessment – exposure of employee Legal limits � Daily exposure limit value 5 m/s 2 A(8) � Daily exposure action value 2.5 m/s 2 A(8)

Exposure likely to be above action value? – Action plan to reduce exposure and start health surveillance Exposure above limit value? – Immediate action Suspect any process that causes tingling or numbness after 5 - 10 minutes continuous use.

Assess � Magnitude of vibration � Duration – trigger time

Interactive exposure spreadsheet on HSE website

Points system to assess exposure •All values are exposure points •Colours show exposures re. EAV & ELV

Manufacturers data � manufacturers are now working to new Standard tests written to address the requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 � new Standard tests are intended both to facilitate comparison of the vibration emissions of different models of equipment and to be suitable for initial estimates of exposure. � You will still need to check with the manufacturer that the vibration emission declared in the instruction manual is representative of your normal use of the equipment.

CONTROL � AT SOURCE � Selection of work equipment: maintenance: positive purchasing policy Limit daily exposure: Job rotation: warm clothing � Anti Vibration gloves “they are not particularly effective at reducing the frequency-weighted vibration associated with risk of HAVS and they can increase the vibration at some frequencies” (HSE website)

Reduce vibration e.g. Reduce •Mechanise exposure time •Rigs, jigs & e.g. clamps •Automate •Lower •Rotate emission equipment •Regular breaks

Information, instruction and training for operators � Correct selection of equipment � Correct operation of equipment -– especially important with some vibration-reduced designs � How to recognise (and report) symptoms of HAVS � How to minimise risk (exercising fingers, keeping warm, breaks from exposure, not smoking, etc.)

Operator training Example – vibration reduced � breaker: Keep the moil point sharp 1. Break a little at a time, 2. Don’t get jammed 3. Don’t force antivibration 4. handles 5. Stop breaker before pulling out 6.

Control – tool selection • Vibration can be very different between tools • An under-powered or inefficient tool can increase vibration exposure

Tool selection – the balance Smaller tool Larger tool •increased grip force •Increased vibration emissions •increased exposure to •Increased stress on hands/arms vibration

Control – keep hands warm Temperature Problems Air exhausts can cool operators' hands which makes them more susceptible to the effects of vibration. Cold handles can also produce a similar effect. Solutions Scrap tubing and an old gauntlet were used to direct exhaust air away from the hands. Rubber sleeving can also be used as insulation on metal handles to keep hands warmer.

Control – tool selection Vibration Time before Daily exposure Daily magnitude in daily exposure time exposure(m/s2 m/s2 exceeds2.8 A(8)) m/s2 A(8) Traditional 12 26 minutes 3 hours 7.3 breaker design (typical) New breaker 8 1 hour 3 hours 5 design

Control – maintenance chainsaw anti-vibration rubber bushes

Control - maintenance Vibration Time before Daily exposure Daily magnitude in daily exposure time exposure(m/s2 m/s 2 exceeds 2.8 A(8)) m/s2 A(8) Before 9.7 40 2 hours 4.8 minutes after 5.4 2 hours 2 hours 2.7

Control - Mechanisation removes the risk � Machine-mounted pick replaces hand-operated breakers

Control Removing defects in steel castings using a chipping hammer . Sleeves cost approximately £5 each.

Control - rig / jig

Control - Demolition without vibration � Use hydraulic crushers instead of demolition hammers

Control - power tools purchasing policy The cost � Minimal as tools would be replaced at the end of their life anyway.

Control – purchasing policy Vibration Time before Daily exposure Daily magnitude in daily exposure time exposure(m/s2 m/s2 exceeds2.8 A(8)) m/s2 A(8) Old 15 17 minutes 4 hours 11 strimmer New strimmer 4 4 hours 4 hours 2.8

Health surveillance is vital to detect and respond to early signs of damage Health surveillance is there to: • Identify new employees whose health may place them at greater risk, • Protect existing employees from further harm, • Allow employers to identify how effective their control measures are.

Health surveillance - when HAVS • Regular exposure above 2.5 m s-2 (A8) • Irregular exposure above 2.5 m s-2 (A8) but frequency and severity is a risk • When Individuals already diagnosed with HAVS

Health surveillance •Important for HAVS because: – Some high exposures may be unavoidable – there is no effective personal protective equipment

Health surveillance - how Tiers • Tier 1 Pre-exposure baseline • Tier 2 Annual screening • Tier 3 Clinical assessment • Tier 4 Formal diagnosis • Tier 5 Optional tests

How can I arrange health surveillance? � Basic health surveillance consists of regularly seeking information about early symptoms of ill health by using a questionnaire. It may help you keep costs down if you carry out this function yourself, referring any positive responses to an occupational health service provider. � Alternatively, you could ask an occupational health service provider to provide a complete service on your behalf. You should be able to find details of occupational health service providers from your trade association, your local telephone directory, the internet or EMAS

Further Information on Health surveillance Health surveillance for HAVS – guidance for employers Health surveillance for HAVS – guidance for Occupational Health Professionals Health Surveillance Questionnaires Initial screening questionnaire Annual screening questionnaire Clinical questionnaire

Further information - HSE www.hse.gov.uk/vibration

Further information Manufacturers handbook Databases � www.las-bb.de/karla/index_.htm � http://vibration.arbetslivinstitutet.se/eng/havhome.laso o � www.hse.gov.uk � www.operc.com

ANY QUESTIONS?