HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome) is a medical term for symptoms caused by vibration damages.
The condition can occur in the finger, hands and arms and is particularly common in people who operate vibrating tools such as grinders, sanders and disc cutters.
HAVS causes changes in sensory perception, resulting in numbness, muscle weakness and in extreme cases, White Finger.
Initial symptoms of HAVS include changes in sensation in nerve endings. This can be followed by Raynaud’s phenomenon – this is caused by changes in the blood vessels which results in White Finger, as well as muscular aches and pains.
In severe conditions, HAVS suffers may experience loss of hand movement and extreme pain in cold weather.
According to the NHS, people who use the following tools can experience White Finger: grinders, sander disc cutters, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, power mowers and hammer drills.
It is the responsibility of the employer to protect workers from vibration afflicted White Finger. If a worker does have the condition, then the employer must contact the Heath and Safety Executive about the condition, who will then investigate whether the employee is eligible for an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
According to the Health and Safety at Work Act, there were 610 new claims of Vibration White Finger (VWF) in 2014, compared to 580 in 2014 and 635 in 2012. The number of claims has declined over a ten year period. Of the 10,180 new claims in the past 12 years, only 35 were female.
There were 220 new claims for carpal tunnel syndrome in 2014 compared to 265 and 295 in 2013 and 2012. Again, the number of claims have declined over the last decade. Of the 5,980 new claims in the last 12 years, 570 were female.
According to patient HAVS can be prevented by:
If you continue to work with vibrating tools after encountering HAVS symptoms then the condition may persist even when you do stop working.
Employers seeking high quality, safe power tools can contact CNS Power Tools, who work with leading brands within the industry to ensure employees are kept safe at work.
Members of the MCRMA, the trade association for the metal cladding and roofing industry, had an exclusive opportunity to explore and discuss the changes affecting the construction sector at the first of the association’s roadshow events hosted by Siderise at its HQ and manufacturing facility in South Wales.
Posted in Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Cladding, Exhibitions and Conferences, Health & Safety, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Seminars, WallsThe latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down -2.1% in January compared to the same month in 2023.
Posted in Articles, Bathrooms & Toilets, Bathrooms, Bedrooms & Washrooms, Bricks & Blocks, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Building Systems, Civil Engineering, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Doors, Drainage, Drainage Services, Facility Management & Building Services, Glass, Glazing, Hard Landscaping & Walkways, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Kitchens, Landscaping, news, Paints, Paints, Coatings & Finishes, Pipes & Fittings, Plumbing, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Site Preparation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency, Timber Buildings and Timber Products, Waste Management & Recycling, WindowsHambleside Danelaw’s MidVerg20® interlocking verge system was manufactured to suit all flat intermediate gauge single-lap interlocking tile types, and can be installed on both new builds and refurbishments.
Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Innovations & New Products, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, RoofsTar and chip is a great option for roads in Norfolk. Find out more from KDG Surfacing in the following article…
Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Civil Engineering, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Hard Landscaping & Walkways, Landscaping, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation