This presentation is a pragmatic guide to current best practice in hand arm Vibration (HAV) risk management. It includes the myths surrounding vibration risk assessment, PPE (simple, there is none...) and other red herrings that can waste resources that would be better spent on risk reduction.

1. HAV Management Best Practice
www.invc.co.uk
vibration
HAV Risk Management
Myths and Best Practice
Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre

2. Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre
• Invited to present on the HSE Road-Shows across the UK to
launch the new HAV (and noise) regulations
• The largest HAV database of accurate field values available
 virtual assessments as per HSE guidance
• Developed and run the IOSH HAV competency courses
 the major provider of noise and HAV training in the UK
• Developed Croner, 3M, Desoutter … HAV Documentation
• HAV-Test tool maintenance system
www.invc.co.uk
• Vibration control design and development

3. Vibration Management Programme
Objective: establish and implement "Best Practice" for each element
- in your particular circumstances....
• Identify potential hazardous tools and operations
list tool types, models, manufacturers + "jobs“
• Assess risks for tools and operations
representative sample + published data
• Train managers, supervisors and operators
• Implement Risk Reduction Programme
PPE, ergonomics, operating conditions, maintenance, modifications…
www.invc.co.uk
• Buy / Hire Smooth
implement vibration purchasing / hiring policy
• Health Surveillance Programme
where A(8) exposure likely to be > 2.5m/s2)
• Audit Programme

4. Vibration Management Programme
• Identify potential hazardous tools and operations
list tool types, models, manufacturers + "jobs“
• Assess risks for tools and operations
representative sample + published data
• Train managers, supervisors and operators
Much of the safety Reduction Programme
• Implement Risk industry has a "risk measurement"
culture, with assessment as an end in itself maintenance, modifications…
PPE, ergonomics, operating conditions, rather than as a
precursor to the more challenging action to reduce risk...
• Buy / Hire Smooth
implement vibration purchasing / hiring policy
"If you are paying suppliers or consultants to measure your
• Health Surveillance Programme
tool vibration every year or two, it's very good business for
where completely unnecessary..."
them, but A(8) exposure likely to be > 2.5m/s2)
www.invc.co.uk
• Audit Programme

5. Vibration Risk Assessment
• Tasks and activities
list typical tasks and operations that could pose a potential risk
• Tools and Plant
list items of plant / tools that could pose a potential risk - include tool
details, manufacturers and models, accessories/consumables used,
task, material etc.
www.invc.co.uk
• Vibration data
acquire matching field data from reliable sources of published data;
set-up vibration assessments for the minimum number of tasks for
which good information is not available. This generates a realistic
estimate of the typical range of vibration for each activity
• Trigger times
acquire estimates of realistic likely finger-on-trigger times for the
various tools and activities
http://www.invc.co.uk/noise/vibration/handarm-vibration/

6. Dosimetry
• Noise: well understood technology
high cost logging meters + software used to assess
the likely exposures of typical operators via sampling
of staff as part of a risk assessment: c £400 / unit
• Vibration: instrumentation - only relatively recently
available
HAVi: simple, low cost tool single-tool use timer and
dose evaluation: c £35 - £50 / unit
www.invc.co.uk
HAVmeter: high cost, multi-tool use timer and dose
evaluation with reporting software: c £350/head +
£750 base-station (8) + £6k software (10 users) +
subscription
Both can be useful during initial assessment
and as a "tool“ to remind operators of the risks.
But: cost v benefit analysis must be carried out.

7. Assessment Cost v Benefit
The only reason to carry out an assessment is to provide you with the
data you need to develop a practical Plan of Action to reduce the risks.
www.invc.co.uk
Best Practice Objectives
assess typical operator tool and / or task (multi-tool) vibration
exposures in terms of daily dose or dose per task e.g. dose per
wheel (wrench / wheel nuts); dose per meter of trench....
evaluate data to generate statistics for each task which are then used
in the risk assessment (as for noise)
develop an Action Plan to implement a risk reduction programme
Resource Allocation
spend the minimum on assessment of both vibration values and
trigger times. Once you have good representative statistics, any
further expenditure on assessment is unnecessary
spend as much of your resources as possible on risk reduction,
rather than measurement

8. www.invc.co.uk
Equivalent Daily Vibration Exposures

9. www.invc.co.uk
A(8): Vibration v Trigger Time
Risk is proportional to vibration: x2 vibration = x2 risk
Risk is proportional to square root of trigger time: x4 time = x2 risk
Accuracy of vibration values is much more important than trigger time

10. www.invc.co.uk
Instrumenting Rivet Hammer
233m/s2 – overload(!) – needs mechanical filter….

11. Measurement v Virtual Assessment
HSE Guidance and Recommendations:• use reliable published field vibration data as the basis for risk
assessments wherever possible
• companies should spend their time and resources reducing risk rather
than on re-measuring tools for which accurate field data is already
available or reassessing tools or activities for which they already have
good data
www.invc.co.uk
Important Note
• Unlike most other workplace risks, it is only necessary to carry out a
full HAV assessment once. Unless you change the tools or the way
they are used, there is no need to reassess - simply update data to
include any new plant. This is a fundamental difference that affects
the economics of purchasing vibration monitoring equipment for inhouse use.
e.g. noise assessments have to be reviewed at least every 2 years.
http://www.invc.co.uk/noise/vibration/handarm-vibration/#havbase

12. www.invc.co.uk
Angles on Angle Grinding
Cut-off v fettling
- very different vibration values

13. Template Tool Register
www.invc.co.uk
Necessary part of best practice + approved tool list…

14. www.invc.co.uk
HAV and Noise Assessment Database
http://www.invc.co.uk/noise/vibration/handarm-vibration/#havbase

15. HAV-Base HAV Risk Statistics
Tool Category
www.invc.co.uk
-1 s.d.
Vibration m/s2
mean
+1 s.d.
Points or time to EAV / ELV

16. Presentation of Vibration Data
www.invc.co.uk
Tool
Vibration m/s2
"to EAV" Working Time (mins)

17. www.invc.co.uk
"Safe" Working Distance for PPE

18. www.invc.co.uk
HAV Tool Assessment Options and Costs

19. www.invc.co.uk
Vibration Management Programme
Identify potential hazardous tools and operations
list tool types, models, manufacturers + "jobs"
Assess risks for tools and operations
representative sample + published data
Train managers, supervisors and operators
Implement Risk Reduction Programme
PPE, ergonomics, operating conditions, maintenance, engineering
modifications .....
Buy Smooth
implement vibration purchasing policy
Health Surveillance Programme
where A(8) exposure likely to be > 2.5m/s2
Audit Programme
Exposure Times / Job Rotation

20. Training
Training is one of the most important programme elements as there is
considerable lack of knowledge of the risks and costs of vibration plus
substantial under-reporting by operators.
 management and supervisors: personal motivation, company policy,
vibration management programme
 "toolbox" talks for operators / supervisors: personal motivation and
risk prevention, symptom reporting procedures, company policy
 competency training for large companies
www.invc.co.uk
Personal behaviour has a very large impact on the health risk posed by
any given vibration exposure
http://www.invc.co.uk/training-section/training/vibration-training-courses/

21. www.invc.co.uk
Vibration Management Programme
Identify potential hazardous tools and operations
list tool types, models, manufacturers + "jobs"
Assess risks for tools and operations
representative sample + published data
Train managers, supervisors and operators
Implement Risk Reduction Programme
PPE, ergonomics, operating conditions, maintenance, engineering
modifications .....
Buy Smooth
implement vibration purchasing policy
Health Surveillance Programme
where A(8) exposure likely to be > 2.5m/s2
Audit Programme
Exposure Times / Job Rotation

22. www.invc.co.uk
PPE2 with gloves on ...
Hard hats, safety glasses, visors, masks, earmuffs .....
But for Hand-Arm Vibration ...................

23. PPE for Vibration
None!
so called "anti-vibration" gloves generally have little or no effect on
weighted levels of hand vibration except in very unusual circumstances.
gloves are useful to keep hands warm and provide physical protection but "anti-vibration" gloves are thick and unwieldy
But ....
www.invc.co.uk
use conventional gloves to keep hands warm as they are more
comfortable and provide better ergonomics

24. www.invc.co.uk
Personal Behaviour....
16m/s2: 12 minutes re 2.5m/s2; 48 minutes re 5m/s2.
VWB…

25. Exhaust Air - Hand Temperature
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.
www.invc.co.uk
Solutions
Scrap tubing and an old gauntlet were
used here to direct exhaust air away
from the hands. Rubber sleeving can
also be used as insulation on metal
handles to keep hands warmer.
pictures: HSE Vibration Solutions

26. Change Process, Mechanise
Remote control vibratory plate
picture: HSE Vibration Solutions
Operator vibration exposure -
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ZERO!
There can also be productivity
and other operational benefits
that make remote control plant
more cost effective than
manual operation.
Casting Shell Knockout
Replaced manual riveting
hammer with jig mounted breaker
reducing exposure from 10m/s2 to
0m/s2. Cost c £2500.

27. Maintenance - Needlegun
Field Assessment
A vibration check on-site revealed
a weighted level of 15m/s2
compared with an expected value
of the order of 4m/s2.
Maintenance
Dismantling the tool showed that
many of the needles were broken
and that one of them was jamming
the vibration cushioning system.
Once repaired, a field re-test
produce a vibration level of 4m/s2.
www.invc.co.uk
picture: HSE Vibration Solutions
Operators should report unusually
high levels of vibration on
individual tools.

28. www.invc.co.uk
Summary of Measures to Reduce Personal Risk
Maintenance - keep tools well maintained
Exercise hands during work periods
Always report any Hand-Arm symptoms
Smoking - don't smoke, especially before using tools
Use the right tool for the job in the right way (ergonomics)
Report faulty, ineffective or poorly maintained tools
Ensure you keep your hands as warm as possible
Short breaks - multiple short breaks better than long ones

29. www.invc.co.uk
Vibration Management Programme
Identify potential hazardous tools and operations
list tool types, models, manufacturers + "jobs"
Assess risks for tools and operations
representative sample + published data
Train managers, supervisors and operators
Implement Risk Reduction Programme
PPE, ergonomics, operating conditions, maintenance, engineering
modifications .....
Buy / Hire Smooth
implement vibration purchasing / hiring policy
Health Surveillance Programme
where A(8) exposure likely to be > 2.5m/s2
Audit Programme
Exposure Times / Job Rotation

30. "Traffic Lights" - Hirer Beware...
The Hire Association Europe introduced a "traffic light" system
for grading tool vibration levels against the Exposure Limit Value.
• based on manufacturers' declared laboratory data
The colour coding implies that "green" tools do not pose a
significant HAV risk - whereas many of these tools would be
classified as "amber" or "red" if categorised according to field
vibration data.
• only use this grading as an initial guide - do not use it as the
basis for any form of risk assessment
www.invc.co.uk
"Amber" rock drill (hirer catalogue extract) ".. 5-10m/s2, up to 2 hours use without further risk assessment .."
12-24m/s2 INVC field measurements on these drills at the hirer 5 minutes to reach Action Value, 20 minutes to reach Limit Value!

31. Vibration Test Standards
These tests should be carried out by the manufacturer
machines run on artificial loads - to get repetitive values
vibration value is hand-arm weighted rms value (ISO 5349)
ISO 8662 / EN 50144, EN 60745:2003 series - single axis values
EN60745:2006/2007; ISO 28927 - tri-axial vector sum values
3 skilled operators load tool during measurements
www.invc.co.uk
The results are the "Declared Values" for vibration from the tools that
should be included in the technical file by the manufacturer.

32. Manufacturers' Declared Vibration Values
This information provided by the manufacturers' is based on laboratory
tests under controlled conditions. Most of these tests have little or no
relationship to the way that the tools are used in practice. The HSE
guidance suggests doubling the declared values as a starting point…
You should not use manufacturers' declared data for risk assessments
unless you can show they are representative. For example ...
Supplier
Data
Field
Results
grinder
3
5 - 12
damped
chipper
www.invc.co.uk
Tool
<2.5
17
damped
riveter
<2.5
8

33. www.invc.co.uk
Vibration Management Programme
Identify potential hazardous tools and operations
list tool types, models, manufacturers + "jobs"
Assess risks for tools and operations
representative sample + published data
- Train managers, supervisors and operators
Implement Risk Reduction Programme
PPE, ergonomics, operating conditions, maintenance, engineering
modifications .....
Buy Smooth
implement vibration purchasing policy
Health Surveillance Programme
where A(8) exposure likely to be > 2.5m/s2
Audit Programme
Exposure Times / Job Rotation

34. Tiered Health Surveillance System
Tier 1 - Pre-employment baseline check
- self-administered
Tier 2 - Annual Screening
- self-administered - option to appoint "Responsible Person"
Tier 3 - Clinical assessment
- by qualified person (e.g. occupational health nurse)
www.invc.co.uk
Tier 4 - Diagnosis
- qualified doctor
Tier 5 - Standardised Tests (optional)
- highly specialised service
See HSE regulatory guidance L140 for sample questionnaires.

35. HAV Management Best Practice
www.invc.co.uk
vibration
HAV Risk Management
Best Practice
FAQ
Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre: www.invc.co.uk

36. HAV Risk Management FAQs - 1
Do I have to measure the vibration on all my tools?
No - only measure if you cannot get good data from other sources (not
manufacturers' data unless you can show it is representative).
How often do I have to repeat vibration assessments?
Never! It only has to be done well once - update if you get new tool types.
www.invc.co.uk
What is the best way to get accurate finger-on-trigger times?
Depends on the circumstances - in simple cases with relatively low risk,
observation; for higher risk or more complex activities, use tool timers over
a sufficient time and number of tools to acquire good statistics. We often
recommend either buying a number of HAVi units or hiring HAVmeters until
you have the data you need.
Remember that the accuracy of trigger times is not as important as that of
tool vibration values in determining dose.
Is dosimetry advisable or necessary?
No - once you have good assessment data, further measurement is usually
unnecessary (as with noise) and will not change the actions you have to
take. The resources should be spent on risk reduction instead.

37. HAV Risk Management FAQs - 2
What is the best way to monitor and record tool use and exposures?
Often not necessary for standard work e.g. trenches, mowing, production
environments.
For high risk, high variability activities, keep it as simple as possible - but
configured to fit with company culture. From simple paper systems to PC
data entry (e.g. equipped vans) to tags and click-counters to meters.
The key is to implement the best cost / benefit approach possible in your
particular environment.
How can I make best use of a limited budget?
Minimise expenditure on assessment and prioritise control measures
proportional to risk and the number of personnel affected.
www.invc.co.uk
Is there any effective PPE for HAVS?
No! - but use conventional gloves to keep hands warm...

38. HAV Risk Management FAQs - 3
www.invc.co.uk
How do I ensure that we comply with the regulations in practice?
Audit on the ground and compare and document your practices against the
best practice benchmarks for your industry.
What are key elements the court will consider if there is a claim?
Have you established what comprises best practice in risk reduction for
your industry and then implemented it?
Do you have documentary evidence that you are complying in practice?
(audits of operational procedures, tool selection, purchasing / hiring,
training...)
How have you prioritised your allocation of resources to minimise the risk
to personnel exposed to vibration? (if you have spent most of your budget
on measurement or "PPE", you are doomed....)
Do you have effective health surveillance in place for personnel at risk?
(making use of the results)

39. HAV Management Audit
www.invc.co.uk
Benchmark current practice against best practice for your industry.
Initial Audit
policy and procedural review and typical site visits
existing data - quality of risk assessments and statistics
discussion - knowledge / training
initial report - weaknesses, short-term improvements
planning meeting(s)
Company HAV Management Programme Update
procedures and documentation
site testing and feedback - update programme
training programme
Action Plan
Implementation
roll-out programme
audit at suitable intervals - HAV Management Reports
http://www.invc.co.uk/noise/vibration/handarm-vibration/#havbase

40. Vibration Management Programme
www.invc.co.uk
The objective is to establish and implement "Best Practice" for each of
these elements – in your particular circumstances.
Identify potential hazardous tools and operations
list tool types, models, manufacturers + "jobs"
Assess risks for tools and operations
representative sample + published data
- Train managers, supervisors and operators
Implement Risk Reduction Programme
PPE, ergonomics, operating conditions, maintenance, engineering
modifications .....
Buy Smooth
implement vibration purchasing policy
Health Surveillance Programme
where A(8) exposure likely to be > 2.5m/s2)
Audit Programme

41. HAV Management Best Practice
vibration
www.invc.co.uk
HAV Risk Management
Myths and Best Practice
Thank you. Questions?
Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre
http://www.invc.co.uk/noise/vibration/handarm-vibration/