The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has made updates to their hand-arm vibration exposure calculator, and to the guidance document L140, on hand-arm vibration.
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) can be a significant health risk when powered tools are used for significant lengths of time. HAVS is preventable, but once the damage is done, it is permanent. The effects from HAVS can include making it difficult to do fine detailed work, and exposure to the cold can cause painful finger blanching (blood flow is restricted to the fingers, making them turn white).
The calculator helps estimate and record workers’ exposure to HAVS and compare them with the actions values in the regulations as part of a HAVS risk assessment.
The updated calculator and guidance to use the calculator can be found here.
The updated L140 guidance document puts more emphasis on the control and management of risks from exposure to hand-arm vibration. This can be found here.