The dangers of hand-arm vibration syndrome and how to avoid it

Road maintenance is essential for the upkeep and general safety of our roads, but the process can often come at a cost to workers’ health. One of the main risks associated with maintenance work is hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) – caused by high exposure to vibration when using tools for cutting, breaking and lifting road materials. 

Government guidance suggests that ‘As a rough guide, if workers regularly use hammer action power tools for more than 15 minutes per day, or rotary or other action power tools for more than about an hour per day, there may be a problem with exposure to hand-arm vibration.’

But with common tasks like manual waste loading, breaking concrete and sawing tarmac all often exceeding daily HAVS exposure limits, how can workers be protected? Let’s take a look at the detail – and find out why the JCB Pothole Pro could be the answer to achieving a 100% reduction in HAVS

What is hand-arm vibration syndrome?

As we’ve briefly explored, hand-arm vibration syndrome occurs when vibrations are transmitted into the fingers, hands and arms while operating hand-held powered work equipment. Any vibrating equipment can put you at risk of permanent injury, but one of the most common tools that leads to harmful vibrations is the hand-held percussive breaker – a widely used tool for breaking up roads and pavement surfaces. 

The initial symptoms of HAVS include things like loss of strength in hands, tingling and numbness, and extra pain in cold and wet conditions. And these symptoms can get worse over time, leading to health conditions like: 

• Vibration white finger (VWF): Caused by damage to the blood vessels in the nerves of the hands and arms, characterised by blanching of the fingertips, often accompanied by numbness and tingling.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition where the nerve which runs through the wrist is compressed, causing pain, numbness and tingling, along with a weakness in the hand and fingers.
•  Muscle weakness and nerve damage: HAVS can damage the nerves in the hands and arms, and weaken muscles over time. This can make it difficult to perform fine motor tasks.

According to the HSE, if a local authority is using outdated hand digging methods (including breakers, saws and vibrating plates) it’s thought that even 1 hour of exposure per day can put their employees in the high-risk category, and just 15 minutes per day puts them at medium risk. This adds up to a total of nearly 2 million people per year at risk of developing HAVS in the UK, with 300,000 people currently suffering advanced stages – and the damage is permanent.  

So, how can these vibrations be stopped from occurring in the first place? 

How to prevent hand-arm vibration syndrome

Luckily, there are several techniques to lessen the effects of hand-arm vibration while using vibrating tools, and technology continues to evolve to reveal more methods that avoid repetitive vibrations. This includes the introduction of mechanised tunnelling methods, which work to reduce hand digging, along with changes to construction work plans to avoid unnecessary drilling. But one of the biggest breakthroughs in the fight against HAVS is the introduction of the JCB Pothole Pro.