Risks: Vibration

There are two kinds of vibration risks: Hand-arm vibration and Whole body vibration.

Hand-arm vibration is transmitted from work processes into workers’ hands and arms. Workers suffering from hand-arm vibration syndrome can have difficulty carrying out tasks in the workplace involving fine work or manipulative work. They have a reduced ability to work in cold conditions and the disease may also have an impact on social and family life. Periodic attacks of ‘white finger’ will take place during all kinds of activities. Everyday tasks, for example fastening small buttons on clothes, may become difficult. The damage to the hands may be irreversible.

Workers at risk of hand-arm vibration include people who work with:

• Hand-held power tools (such as grinders or hammer drills)
• Hand-guided machinery (such as lawnmowers and plate compactors)
• Hand-fed machines (such as pedestal grinders)

Whole body vibration is a hazard in those industries where mobile machinery is operated or vehicles are driven off-road. Regular exposure to high levels of whole body vibration, especially when combined with shocks and jolts, can put workers at a higher risk of back pain.

Workers at risk of whole body vibration include those who work in:

• Construction
• Demolition
• Forestry
• Agriculture
• Mines
• Quarries
• Some distributive industries, e.g. docks and warehouses using industrial trucks

Procedures can be taken to assess your workers’ exposure to whole-body or hand-arm vibration. Workboost Wales has specialist advisers who can help you with these and help you set targets for reducing exposure.

Call us now on 0845 609 6006 – remember our advice is free and confidential.

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