Hand-arm vibration Examples of hand-arm vibration occurs when vibration include: is transferred through using impact wrenches, a vibrating tool, Figure 10-11 chainsaws, jackhammers, steering wheel or grinders, drills or vibrating controls in heavy compacting plates (Figure10-11) machinery to the hand and arm. This can using needle guns in de-rusting disrupt blood metal. circulation in the hand and forearm and damage nerves and tendons. Localised vibration contributes to ‘vibration-induced and white finger’ tunnel ‘carpal through the syndrome’ gripping force needed to hold the vibrating tools (the tighter the grip, the more vibration is absorbed) and the repetitive shock loads of some tools. 3. Assessing the Risks A risk assessment involves examining the characteristics of the hazardous manual task in more detail to assess whether the forces, movements and postures are undertaken in such a way that they give rise to the risk of MSDs. 3.1 When should a risk assessment be conducted? You should carry out a risk assessment for any manual tasks that you have identified as being hazardous, unless the risk is well-known and you know how to control it. A risk assessment can help you determine: which postures, movements and forces of the task pose a risk where during the task they pose a risk why they are occurring what needs to be fixed. 3.2 How to do a risk assessment for hazardous manual tasks
Hand-arm vibration occurs when vibration is transferred through a vibrating tool, steering wheel or controls in heavy machinery to the hand and arm. This can disrupt blood circulation in the hand and forearm and damage nerves and tendons. Localised vibration contributes to ‘vibration-induced white finger’ and ‘carpal tunnel syndrome’ through the gripping force needed to hold the vibrating tools (the tighter the grip, the more vibration is absorbed) and the repetitive shock loads of some tools. Examples of hand-arm vibration include: using impact wrenches, chainsaws, jackhammers, grinders, drills or vibrating compacting plates (Figure10-11) using needle guns in de-rusting metal. Figure 10-11 3. Assessing the Risks A risk assessment involves examining the characteristics of the hazardous manual task in more detail to assess whether the forces, movements and postures are undertaken in such a way that they give rise to the risk of MSDs. 3.1 When should a risk assessment be conducted? You should carry out a risk assessment for any manual tasks that you have identified as being hazardous, unless the risk is well-known and you know how to control it. A risk assessment can help you determine: which postures, movements and forces of the task pose a risk where during the task they pose a risk why they are occurring what needs to be fixed. 3.2 How to do a risk assessment for hazardous manual tasks