/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-151 Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Line Manager Guide

/2-Jul-15 Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2 What Will Be Covered  Health Effects of Exposure to Vibration  What is HAVS  What is CTS  The Law  Control Measures  Exposure levels explained  Small Plant Data sheet  Monitoring Exposure  Health Surveillance  Investigation  Further Guidance

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-153 Health Effects of Exposure to Vibration Regular and frequent exposure to hand-arm vibration can lead to two health conditions Hand Arm Vibration syndrome (HAVS) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-154 What is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome? HAVS Symptoms and effects of HAVS include  tingling and numbness in the fingers which can result in an inability to do fine work (e.g. assembling small components) or everyday tasks (e.g. fastening buttons)  loss of strength in the hands which might affect the ability to do work safely  the fingers going white (blanching) and becoming red and painful on recovery, reducing ability to work in cold or damp conditions especially outdoors

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-155 What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? CTS  Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the nerve that controls sensation and movement in the hands  The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in your wrist made up of small bones and a tough band of tissue. It acts as a pulley for the tendons that bend the fingers Symptoms of CTS include tingling, numbness, pain and weakness in the hand which can interfere with work and everyday tasks

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-156  Symptoms of both may come and go, but with continued exposure to vibration they may become permanent and cause pain, distress and sleep disturbance  This can happen after only a few months of exposure, but in most cases it will happen over a few years

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-157 What the Law Says The Control of Vibration Regulations 2005 say you must  Identify and measure exposure to eliminate or reduce risk of exposure to hand arm vibration – risk assessments, tool selection  Make sure that the legal limits of exposure to vibration are not exceeded  Ensure control measure are properly applied – e.g. job rotation  Provide information, instruction and training to employees – briefings  Provide suitable health surveillance – and ensure compliance*

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-158 Control Measures  Elimination – change the way of work so that vibrating tools are no longer used  Substitution – replacing tools with ones with lower vibration emission  Task Considerations – does the task need to be done manually or can it be mechanised?  Task Rotation – within each shift make sure that individuals change the tasks that they do so that they do not breach the exposure levels (EAV or ELV)  Monitor Individual’s Vibration Exposure

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-159 EAV and ELV explained EAV Exposure Action Value 2.5m/s² A (8)  The level at which measures should be introduced to eliminate or control risk to be as low as possible ELV Exposure Limit Value 5m/s² A (8)  The level which should not be exceeded and at which immediate action should be taken to reduce vibration exposure  The exposure limit value (ELV) is the maximum amount of vibration an employee may be exposed to on any single day

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1510 Points System  The points system has been devised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to simplify measuring daily exposure to vibration  The system converts the vibration (m/s²) into points 100 points per day = exposure action value (EAV) 400 points per day = exposure limit value (ELV)

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1511 HAVS Data Sheet  Found on Safety Central  Contains vibration data on each tool approved for use by Network Rail  Details how much trigger time will be needed to reach the EAV or ELV  Breaks down the points accumulated into 5 minute blocks for easy calculation

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1512 Monitoring Vibration Exposure Exposure to vibration can be measured either by  a paper based record completed by the employee or  Using technology – an electronic vibration monitoring device It is important to have an understanding of each persons exposure to be able to identify employees at risk and to control the risk

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1513 Responsibilities Line Manager –  Know which employees are at risk  Provide information to employees  Ensure control measures are in place  Plan tasks to eliminate or reduce exposure  Ensure employees take part in health surveillance  Investigate when a new or worsening case of HAVS is identified Employee –  Know how to spot early signs of HAVS  Report any problems to their line manager  Take part in health surveillance  Make sure control measures are used correctly

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1514 Mandatory Health Surveillance  The first health surveillance check should be carried out before the employee starts to use vibrating tools – a guide should be to arrange the surveillance before booking training or competency sessions  A further health check is needed 6 months after starting to use tools then  Every employee exposed to vibration on a regular basis should take part in annual health surveillance

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1515 Mandatory Health Surveillance Tier 1 – first stage of health surveillance before using tools using questionnaire Tier 2 – second stage using questionnaire for annual surveillance Tier 3 – a face to face appointment with a nurse carried out every third year or if any concerns are highlighted Tier 4- a face to face appointment with a physician who can give a diagnosis of HAVS

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1516 Managing Health Surveillance  Know which employees are at risk  Update HRSS with names of those employees who are exposed to vibration when requested  Monitor compliance by tracking completion of questionnaire and attendance at appointments  Carry out health briefings  Follow health surveillance guidance within HAVS management standard

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1517 Investigation Process The investigation process should always be carried out when new or worsening cases of HAVS are identified as this could mean that the control measures have failed  The outcome of every employees HAVS assessment will be available on Oracle  Investigations should always include the employee, a trained investigator and a health and safety professional  Look at areas such as the individuals vibration exposure, tools used and maintenance schedules, working hours including overtime, task rotation compliance

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1518 What to do if an Employee has HAVS  The fit slip from OH will advise on any restrictions on working – Always follow advice from Occupational Health  Reduce/restrict vibration exposure as directed  Spend time with the employee outlining any restrictions  Ensure that employee complies with subsequent health surveillance  Encourage the employee to report any further concerns they may have

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1519 Need Help?  Presentations, Factsheets and Briefings on Health Portal  People who can help - safety representatives, trade union reps, occupational health provider, HRSS, occupational specialists and managers  HAVS standard and guidance documents on Connect

/ Presentation Title: View > Header & Footer 2-Jul-1520 Questions?