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Harm caused by vibration

• Depending on the situation, vibration can be whole-body or, more commonly, hand–arm vibration.
• Symptoms can appear after only a few months in some people but can take several years in others.
• The first sign of a hand–arm problem may be just a tingling in the affected fingers.
• In the longer term, damage may occur to blood vessels, nerves, muscles, tendons, and body organs.
• Excessive hand–arm vibration can lead to “vibration white finger” resulting in damaged blood vessels, circulatory problems, pain and possibly gangrene. Workers can find it hard to hold items.
• Whole-body vibration can lead to a range of seemingly unrelated medical problems, such as headaches, blurred vision, back ache, irritation, fatigue and digestive issues.
• The harm caused can affect a person’s attention to safety in the workplace and therefore increase the likelihood of an accident occurring.

Hand–arm vibration damage is mostly caused by hand-held power tools, for example

• rotating hand tools used for cutting and grinding
• percussive hand tools used for riveting, chipping, hammering, drilling, etc.

Whole-body vibration can be caused by, for example:

• long-term driving over uneven ground
• sitting or standing on platform or equipment that vibrates or has repetitive impacts.

• If available, select tools with vibration-absorbing features.
• When using a tool which causes vibration, break the task up with other work activities.
• Know the maximum amount of time the tool can be used to keep within safe exposure limits.
• If you think you are suffering ill effects from vibration, cease the activity, speak to your line manager or supervisor and seek medical advice if necessary.
• Where possible, keep plant that can cause vibrations away from public areas.
• Do not leave doors, hoods, etc open on plant or leave plant or equipment running unnecessarily.
• Do not use poorly maintained plant or tools.
• Any work that may create significant vibrations should be planned to minimise potential nuisances to the local community.
• Do not ignore complaints from the local community. Respond politely and pass the complaint onto the appropriate line manager.
• Do not undertake activities that could cause damage to nearby structures through vibration unless approved by a line manager.
• Routinely check equipment according to manufactures instructions.

Harm caused by vibration

• Depending on the situation, vibration can be whole-body or, more commonly, hand–arm vibration.
• Symptoms can appear after only a few months in some people but can take several years in others.
• The first sign of a hand–arm problem may be just a tingling in the affected fingers.
• In the longer term, damage may occur to blood vessels, nerves, muscles, tendons, and body organs.
• Excessive hand–arm vibration can lead to “vibration white finger” resulting in damaged blood vessels, circulatory problems, pain and possibly gangrene. Workers can find it hard to hold items.
• Whole-body vibration can lead to a range of seemingly unrelated medical problems, such as headaches, blurred vision, back ache, irritation, fatigue and digestive issues.
• The harm caused can affect a person’s attention to safety in the workplace and therefore increase the likelihood of an accident occurring.

Sources of vibration

Many items of equipment and plant can cause vibration.

Hand–arm vibration damage is mostly caused by hand-held power tools, for example

• rotating hand tools used for cutting and grinding
• percussive hand tools used for riveting, chipping, hammering, drilling, etc.

Whole-body vibration can be caused by, for example:

• long-term driving over uneven ground
• sitting or standing on platform or equipment that vibrates or has repetitive impacts.

How to prevent and control vibration

• If available, select tools with vibration-absorbing features.
• When using a tool which causes vibration, break the task up with other work activities.
• Know the maximum amount of time the tool can be used to keep within safe exposure limits.
• If you think you are suffering ill effects from vibration, cease the activity, speak to your line manager or supervisor and seek medical advice if necessary.
• Where possible, keep plant that can cause vibrations away from public areas.
• Do not leave doors, hoods, etc open on plant or leave plant or equipment running unnecessarily.
• Do not use poorly maintained plant or tools.
• Any work that may create significant vibrations should be planned to minimise potential nuisances to the local community.
• Do not ignore complaints from the local community. Respond politely and pass the complaint onto the appropriate line manager.
• Do not undertake activities that could cause damage to nearby structures through vibration unless approved by a line manager.

Questions for employees

Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant drug which reduces brain function. This means it does not mix well with work. In high risk industries, alcohol increases the risk of fatal accidents.

If you drink, don’t drive. Many drivers who are killed in road accidents are over the legal alcohol in blood limit.

Drugs

All drugs can affect your ability to work safely because they can slow down your reaction times, affect your co-ordination making you clumsy, affect your decision making and distort your vision. As a result, the chance of having an accident at work is increased when you are under the influence of drugs.

If you become aware that somebody is on drugs in the workplace, inform your line manager. You may feel it has nothing to do with you but you need to prevent others getting hurt because of their actions.

If you get offered drugs, say no, it is far better to work safely. Drugs and work don’t mix. Don’t let it become a problem for you and if is, get some help.

What to look for?

Some signs of colleagues being under the influence of drugs include watery eyes, dilated pupils, running nose, constant sniffing, tight lips, sores, ulcers, trembling, fatigue and irritability. If you see it, report it.

Questions for employees

What is a health and safety policy?

• An organisation’s health and safety policy sets out how it wants to manage health and safety in the workplace. By law, every organisation must have one.
• The statement of intent sets objectives to work towards and is usually signed by the head of the organisation.
• The policy also includes details of who will be responsible for what within the organisation and how the objectives will be achieved: who, what and how.

What does the health and safety policy mean for me?

• Employees should understand the contents of the policy and follow the guidance and procedures set out by the organisation.
• By understanding and following the health and safety policy, you help to reduce accidents and incidents at work.
• As an employee, if you have a doubt or concern about your health and safety in the workplace, you have a legal duty to ask for an explanation from your employer.
• You should have seen or been told where to find the written health and safety policy on your first day.

Employee consultation

• Consultation is a two-way process and not just managers/supervisors providing information to you.
• As an employer we need to listen to and take into account what you say.
• Inductions, daily briefings and meetings give us a chance to explain what is happening, but we need feedback to ensure action can be taken to continually improve our performance.

Questions for employees