Page 24 - HIL Operatives Training Manual V4 16022024_Neat

O P E R A T I V E S T R A I N I N G M A N U A L V E R S I O N 4

2.3 Am I at risk?
You are at risk if you regularly use hand-held or hand guided power tools and machines beyond
the regular maximum time, or if you hold tools and equipment that vibrate while being
processed by powered machinery.

You may be more at risk if:

You regularly operate hammer action tools for more than about
15 minutes per day: examples include concrete breakers,
concrete pokers, hammer drills, scabblers or needle guns

You operate some rotary and other action tools for more than
about an hour per day

You grip vibrating tools too tight

What causes it?

HAVS is most likely to occur when your job requires regular use of a vibrating tool. Occasional
use of vibrating equipment is unlikely to cause any problems.

HAVS can occur where the nerves and / or blood vessels / joints are damaged by vibration.
Whilst uncommon, the symptoms of HAVS may appear in some people after a short period,
whilst in others the symptoms take years to develop before the person becomes aware.

What are the symptoms?

• Pins and needles
• Loss of sense of touch
• Difficulty in everyday tasks such as fastening buttons or
shoelaces
• Tips of your fingers going white, particularly in cold and wet
conditions, and becoming red and painful on recovery
What can I do?

Stay aware and follow good practice. Don’t exceed the maximum
safe working times for the machines you are using.
Swap between tasks that involve vibration and those that don’t. Massage your hands and fingers, keep
your hands warm in cold weather and

In order to reduce the risk of exposure the Company will:

✓ Will supply suitable gloves to keep the hands warm
✓ Supply information on the vibration levels of equipment and the length of time it can be
used
✓ Maintain the tools
✓ Make sure the tools used are sharp.
✓ Provide training, instruction and information to the users of the equipment
✓ Arrange for work rotation to keep working time on the tools to a minimum
✓ Monitor the effect of using the equipment on the operatives

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