Vibration Awareness

Day 1 v2 Octobers 2012 -Arco

?Mechanical phenomenon where by oscillations occur about an equilibrium point

Vibration, periodic back-and-forth motion of the particles of an elastic body or medium, commonly resulting when almost any physical system is displaced from its equilibrium condition and allowed to respond to the forces that tend to restore equilibrium.

The Impact of vibration on the body depends on a variety of factors including:

Magnitude of exposureDuration of exposureType of exposure

Vibration can impact the upper limbs (WRULDs: HAVS, VWF, CTS) and/or the whole body

HSE estimate over 5 million workers are exposed to vibration every day...

Cases of WRULDs account for just under 50 % of all reported industrial diseases

In 2013...

580 New claims for Vibration White Finger (VWF)

265 New claims for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

In the last 11 years...

9575 claims for VWF (3 % female) &

5760 for CTS (10 % female)

Greatest number of cases found in construction industry and related trades, but highest levels of exposure found in heavy fabrication, foundry operations and stone working.

Occupational Health

From October 2013 until March 2015 the HSE report 935 new cases

of HAVS

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200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

2011 2012 2013

CTS

VWF

Course Content

Legal Requirements

Anatomy and Symptoms

Controlling the Risks

Measuring the Exposure

LEGALWHAT DO BUSINESSES HAVE TO DO?

Control of Vibration @ Work Regulations 2005

• Implements in the UK the European Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive (2002/44/EC)

• Came into force on 6th July 2005

• Schedule 1 focuses on HAVS

• Schedule 2 focuses on Whole Body

Control of Vibration @ Work Regulations 2005

• Sets limits of exposure defined as a time weighted average over a standard 8-hour shift:

– Exposure Action Value (EAV)– Exposure Limit Value (ELV)

• Exposure above the EAV must be reduced through both technical and organisational management

• The ELV must NOT be exceeded

Control of Vibration @ Work Regulations 2005Regulation 4(1) and 4(2)

Limit HAVS WBV A(8)

EAV 2.5 0.5

ELV 5.0 1.15

Vibration is measured in m/s2 (m/s/s), the SI units for acceleration

ANATOMY& SYMPTOMSWHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Overview

• Vibration induced health conditions progress slowly.

• In the beginning it starts as a pain. As the vibration exposure continues, the pain may develop into an injury or disease. Pain is the first health condition that is noticed and should be addressed in order to stop the injury.

• The development of disease is gradual and increases in severity over time. It may take a few months to several years for the symptoms to become clinically noticeable.

Supporting Tissues• Ligaments – gristly straps which stretch

between bones, holding them together

• Tendons- how muscles are attached to bones

• Muscles – in pairs on either

side of spine. Provide

stability & passive resistance

to spinal movement

It’s Complicated!!

HAVS

• Vibration-induced white finger (VWF) is the most common condition among the operators of hand-held vibrating tools. Vibration can cause changes in tendons, muscles, bones and joints, and can affect the nervous system. Collectively, these effects are known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

• Workers affected by HAVS commonly report: • attacks of whitening (blanching) of one or more fingers when exposed to cold

• tingling and loss of sensation in the fingers

• loss of light touch

• pain and cold sensations between periodic white finger attacks

• loss of grip strength

• bone cysts in fingers and wrists

• The symptoms of VWF are aggravated when the hands are exposed to cold.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Whole Body Vibration

• Whole-body vibration can cause fatigue, insomnia, stomach problems, headache and "shakiness" shortly after or during exposure.

• The symptoms are similar to those that many people experience after a long car or boat trip, and daily exposure over a number of years, can affect the entire body and result in a number of health disorders.

• Studies of bus and truck drivers found that occupational exposure to whole-body vibration could have contributed to a number of circulatory, bowel, respiratory, muscular and back disorders. The combined effects of body posture, postural fatigue, dietary habits and whole-body vibration are the possible causes for these disorders.

• Studies show that whole-body vibration can increase heart rate, oxygen uptake and respiratory rate, and can produce changes in blood and urine. Many studies have reported decreased performance in workers exposed to whole-body vibration.

CONTROL THE RISKSWHAT COMPANIES HAVE TO DO?

The employer shall assess daily exposure to vibration by means of–

(a)observation of specific working practices;

(b)reference to relevant information on the probable magnitude of the vibration corresponding to the equipment used in the particular working conditions; and

(c)if necessary, measurement of the magnitude of vibration to which his employees are liable to be exposed,

and the employer shall assess whether any employees are likely to be exposed to vibration at or above an exposure action value or above an exposure limit value.

Control of Vibration @ Work Regulations 2005Regulation 5(2)

Control of Vibration @ Work Regulations 2005Regulation 5(3)

The risk assessment shall include consideration of–

(a)the magnitude, type and duration of exposure, including any exposure to intermittent vibration or repeated shocks;(b)the effects of exposure to vibration on employees whose health is at particular risk from such exposure;(c)any effects of vibration on the workplace and work equipment, including the proper handling of controls, the reading of indicators, the stability of structures and the security of joints;(d)any information provided by the manufacturers of work equipment;(e)the availability of replacement equipment designed to reduce exposure to vibration;(f)any extension of exposure at the workplace to whole-body vibration beyond normal working hours, including exposure in rest facilities supervised by the employer;(g)specific working conditions such as low temperatures; and(h)appropriate information obtained from health surveillance including, where possible, published information.

Requirements of the Regulations

• Eliminate at source or reduce ALARP

• Health surveillance – Required if risk assessment shows need - HSE Guidance states HS at

regular exposure to 2.5 m/s/s

• Don’t exceed exposure limit values

• Information, instruction and training

• Inform employees about risk

• Train employees to minimise exposure/risk

So what do you need to actually do...

Identify if there is a possible exposure to vibration

Assess the level of risk through risk assessment and measurement

Determine if the level of exposure exceeds either of the limits set out within the regulations

Implement control strategies to eliminate or reduce exposure

Train and inform employees

Rules of thumb HAV• Percussive tools

– EAV exceeded within ¼ hour– ELV exceeded within 1 hour

• Some tools exceed ELV within 2 or 3 minutes

• Rotary tools

– EAV exceeded within 1 hour– ELV exceeded within 4 hours

• Some tools exceed ELV within 1 hour

• Note: These are ‘trigger times’

Control Measures should include:

Alternative work methods

Equipment selectionReplacement

MaintenanceWear & tareMisuse

Workstation design

Work scheduling

Clothing

Selecting tools for job

• Choose the right tool for the job– safety, economy, efficiency

• Declared vibration/noise emission– which standard or test condition?– realistic vibration level? Ask about likely vibration

for your intended use

• Effect of consumables, materials, etc.• Operator training requirements?• Maintenance requirements?

Selecting PPE

• Where appropriate PPE is available consideration should be given to its use

• PPE must be compatible with:– Materials being handled

– Work tasks being undertaken

– Hazards exposed to during operations

– Compatible with other workwear/PPE in use

Frequency

In addition to total exposure to

vibration, consideration needs

to be given to the frequency of

the vibration.

The diagram shows tolerance

limits of the body to vibration

within a lorry cab

Health surveillance

• Workers exposed to greater

than the action value (100

points)

• Tiered approach

• Top tier is a self administered

questionnaire

• Referrals to competent

person (e.g. qualified

occupational nurse)

MEASUREMENT OF EXPOSURE

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Measurement of vibration can be undertaken by a variety of strategies:

Equipment testing

Operator exposure testing

Equipment use evaluations

All have pros and cons...

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Vibration testing requires the use of meters to measure acceleration (accelerometers).

Acceleration requires to be measured in 3 directions: x, y, and z axis. This can then be used to determine an overall vibration acceleration value.

Not all meters test in 3 directions (triaxial), and some estimate vibration rather than formally record it.

HAVS meters should not be used to monitor WBV and vice-versa

Typical Wood-working Tools

Tool75%ile Vibration Magnitude

(m/s2)Typical Noise Level (dB)

Hand-fed stationary woodworking tools

Negligible97-107 (depending upon the

machine)

Random-Orbital Sanders 12

Approximately 100 (the work location can affect the noise level

significantly)

Orbital Sanders 9

Nail Guns 9

Drills (standard drill bit) 5

Drills (hole saw) 10

Jigsaws 11

Routers 3

Staplers 4

Typical Metal-working Tools

Tool75%ile Vibration Magnitude

(m/s2)Typical Noise Level (dB)

4” to 6” Angle Grinder (standard grinding disc)

7

Approximately 100 (the work location can affect the noise level

significantly)

4” to 5” Angle Grinder (flap disc) 4

9” Angle Grinder (standard grinding disc)

9

Needle Scaler (non-vibration reduced)

19

Needle Scaler (vibration reduced) 7

Nibblers 12

Reciprocating Saws 18

Typical Metal-working Tools

Tool 75%ile Vibration Magnitude (m/s2)

Typical Noise Level (dB)

Impact Wrenches (3/8”, ½” and ¾” Drive)

5

Approximately 100 (the work location can affect the noise level

significantly)

Impact Wrenches (1” Drive) 10

Pedestal Grinders 8

Polishers (Hand-held angle polisher – mop head or soft-

backed pad)

3

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Information system 2007

OLD

• Green, amber, red

• Each item had one colour set by 8-hour exposure

• Transition between colours based on earlier guidance

NEW

• Green, amber, red

• Each item has green, amber and red times

• Transitions based on action and limit values in regulations

Information system 2007

NEW

• Green, amber, red

• Each item has green, amber

and red times

• Transitions based on action

and limit values in regulations

Summary : What do you need to do to control vibration at work?

• Assess risks to develop an action plan

• Reduce risks for all employees

• Investigate and implement good practice and industry standards for control of noise and HAV

• Prioritise higher risk cases with a programme of control measures

• Use hearing protection for residual risks

• Health surveillance to detect symptoms of HAVS/CTS and feedback to control measures

Any Questions ?