Giving clear signals
December 1st 2007 As part of an ongoing commitment to improving
health and safety, A-Plant has launched a new
Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) labelling system for
the company's equipment and tool hire fleet. The new
labelling system follows the 'Traffic Light' method of
indicating possible risks to prolonged exposure to
vibration recommended by the Hire Association Europe
(HAE)
Under the new labelling scheme, A-Plant now attaches
coloured stickers (Green, Amber or Red) to all vibration
producing machines and equipment supplied by the
company, to assist employers, employees and users to
identify the vibration risk level of the machine or
equipment they have hired from A-Plant. The colour codes
allocated to each product are based upon the
manufacturer's information on vibration levels.
Under the new labelling scheme, the colour of the label
defines the HAV risk level as follows:
Green - HAV below 5 m/s2 – 8 hours maximum use per
day
Amber - HAV between 5 and 10 m/s2 – 2 hours
maximum use per day
Red - HAV over 10 m/s2 – risk must be assessed before use
The time figures (in hours) detailed above relate to
maximum daily doses, which should not be exceeded.
Therefore if medium risk (amber) equipment is used for the
maximum 2 hours during the day, no other machine or
equipment, producing vibration, can be used in that day
without further assessment because the maximum daily
dose could be exceeded. Health and safety regulations
require a further risk assessment to be carried out before
the 2-hour time limit is reached.
To ensure that the labelling system provides accurate
HAV information, the equipment must be used correctly in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, using
only the appropriate accessories and health and safety
procedures are implemented as appropriate, including
Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE).
A-Plant has a hire fleet in excess of 110,000 items of
plant and equipment available from over 200 depots
throughout Great Britain, serving more than 30,000
customers in diverse markets ranging from construction
and industry to DIY and facility management.
The new HAV labelling system is being used by the
entire A-Plant depot network and as well as the HAV level,
it has been designed to allow space for the noise output
and dry weight of the equipment to be incorporated,
which enables the HAV labels to be used as all purpose
multi-tags. Each label has space for the noise and weight
to be completed by the depot prior to the equipment
being issued to the customer, again illustrating A-Plant's
continuous improvement of safety standards. The labels
also contain space for the equipment and/or model to be
included, along with the fleet number of the product.
Hand-Arm Vibration is vibration transmitted into the
user's hands and arms when they use hand-held powered
work equipment. Too much exposure to hand-arm vibration
can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal
tunnel syndrome. HAVS affects the nerves, blood vessels,
muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm, which can
become severely disabling if ignored.
In the area of HAV Safety, A-Plant has pledged to
provide customers with vibration-reduced power tools and
equipment. The company has continual investment in
equipment with reduced vibration outputs and regularly
conducts safety reviews to enhance safety measures for APlant
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