Putting the brake on Vibration White Finger

A random poll among the medical profession to assess whether those at risk take "vibration white finger" (VWF) seriously would undoubtedly confirm the answer to be no.

A random poll among the medical profession to assess whether those at risk take "vibration white finger" (VWF) seriously would undoubtedly confirm the answer to be no.

Among construction workers, awareness of conditions collectively referred to as hand arm vibration syndrome, is poor.

Builders typically associate it with numbness in the fingers, and its classification as a "disease" is largely dismissed as little more than political correctness.

With absence from work unlikely to result from early symptoms of discomfort, many consider themselves as anything but at risk.

There is evidence of awareness among builders of symptoms such as pins and needles, as well as localised numbness.

That of the more extreme symptoms, discomfort and pain in the wrists and arms, and skin discoloration caused by restricted blood supply, is less evident.

Numbness of course may not be associated with pain, but it is the beginning of a process which gradually constricts the blood supply.

This causes gradual onset of pain and loss of feeling in limbs, particularly in the fingers, eventually making everyday tasks such as brushing teeth difficult, and handling hot liquids distinctly problematic.

Understanding vibration limits Power tool manufacturers are obliged to inform users of risks and how to use equipment safely.

From July this year, information in literature on what is termed the "three axes" -vibration from forward/back, up/down and side-to-side acceleration, shown as "metres per second squared" (or simply m/s2) will be required under the new Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive.

The British Standard that it replaces required the maximum acceleration to be shown in only one rather than all three axes.

For the moment, to convert a single axis figure to one which complies with the new Directive you should multiply the British Standard single axis figure by 1.4.

The result is the "daily action level", for which the maximum figure currently laid down by the Health and Safety Executive is 2.8m/s2.

This is set to reduce to 2.5m/s2 for a single task or 5.0m/s2 as a maximum exposure for an eight hour day.

To put this into context, using a hammer drill with a British Standard vibration value of 11m/s2 would present the user with a maximum exposure time of less than one hour per day.

For a drill with a lower BS vibration value of 5m/s2 that figure would still only rise to four hours.

To make the whole process simpler for users, tool manufacturers and hire centres are striving to provide at-a-glance vibration risk guidance, with colour coding along the traffic light principle - red for high risk, amber for a maximum 4 hours use per day and green for 8 hours.

Setting aside the legal obligations on tools manufacturers, under the CDM regulations, designers will be obliged from July to seek ways of minimising vibration risk during construction.

Although builders may wonder how this will help them, the knock-on effect from use of products which "design out" the need for drilling will undoubtedly contribute dramatically to a reduction in vibration exposure.

Even so, such advice as exists, even from the HSE, has, until now tended to concentrate on control of power tool use.

Publication of research findings by Halfen explains the Vibration White Finger problem and how individuals can assess their own maximum exposure times.

It illustrates how to reduce vibration through methods such as incorporating steel channels, cast into concrete, to provide non-drilled fixing points.

While only contractors themselves can outrightly control their own health risks and working practices, project related benefits from eradicating drilling can do much to contribute to an improved working environment.

Such systems also offer more tangible benefits for designer, contractor and client, such as time saving, less dust generation and consistency of workmanship.

With the decline of mining, construction workers are likely soon to form the largest group of VWF sufferers.

The sheer number of recorded incidents of the condition today makes the strongest argument possible for prevention rather than cure.

As long ago as 1998, 301,000 sufferers in the UK were experiencing symptoms so severe that they qualified for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

VWF is in fact the most commonly prescribed "disease" under the Industrial Injuries Scheme.

Despite common misconceptions, symptoms can occur within months of exposure rather than years and the long-term effects are painful, persistent and irreversible.

And unfortunately there is no cure.

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