Working to tackle HAV
June 1st 2005 Speedy Hire is offering 'joined up' thinking on the serious, ongoing issue of Hand Arm Vibration (HAV). Speedy hires equipment to companies in the construction, engineering, facilities management, utilities and related industries and also provides information, guidance and training to customers.
Communicating and managing the risks of HAV for workers in construction, and other sectors where handheld power tools and machines which transmit vibration into the hands are used, is a continuing priority for the Health and Safety Executive.
For the 5 million workers in Britain* using handheld or hand guided power tools such as drills and road breakers or holding materials being worked by machines such as grinders, can have associated HAV risks.
Exposure may result in a range of health effects collectively known as Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome or HAVS. This includes the conditions Vibration White Finger and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but also encompasses damage to muscles, sensory nerves, and joints in the hands and arms.
In May 2002 the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament adopted a joint text for a Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive regarding exposure risks arising from vibration sources. This defined the minimum health and safety requirements regarding exposure of workers to these risks. This Directive comes into force this summer and companies in the UK need to comply with the new regulations, which emphasise the legal requirement to recognise and prevent vibration exposure.
In anticipation of this Speedy Hire has been working with manufacturers, suppliers and the end users of equipment in the construction industry over a number of years. With suppliers it has worked to help reduce the risk through innovation, research and development. The HSE states that power tools manufacturers must make full use of technological progress to reduce risks.
Speedy also works with the companies that use the equipment to best manage those risks which the manufacturers have been unable to eliminate through design. Speedy Hire offers advice, training and guidance on risk assessment and selecting the best tools for the job. The correct choice of equipment, and appropriate training, is crucial - factors which the user needs to take into account including: ergonomics and ease of use of the equipment, environmental issues such as the cold, the proposed duration of the task, the grip force needed to use the equipment and the personal protective equipment he/she may need to wear.
Speedy Hire's director of health, safety and training Mark Turnbull helped to set up, and then chaired, the first ever cross-industry Hand Arm Vibration Working Group. Members include Speedy customers and suppliers, trade associations – the Hire Association Europe, the Construction Confederation and the Civil Engineering Contractor's Association.
Prior to the formation of the group those using tools were faced with a raft of statistics, tables and measurements of the vibration levels of the equipment - making meaningful like-for-like comparisons extremely difficult. Though Speedy Hire was the first hire company to include details on vibration ratings on tools and equipment in its catalogue, an industry standard was needed. The HAV Working Group set a standard in accordance with HSE recommendations, with a traffic light colour code system agreed by all parties, which assists contractors when selecting tools - making it easy for them to see the HAV levels of different pieces of equipment. An integrated training package designed for delivery in accordance with the requirements of existing legislation, is available from Speedy Hire, Hire Association Europe and the Construction Federation.
Speedy Hire’s director of health, safety and training, Mark Turnbull (pictured above) is the Chairman of the Hand Arm Vibration Working Group.
The HAV Working Group has produced: • Integrated training package for operators and supervisors • Tool box type approach to be delivered bu own ‘cascade trainers’ through a variety of media, lasting no more than 25 mins • Tool identification colour code For more information contact 0845 601 5129 More articles from Speedy Hire Plc: | 
