What is hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)?
HAVS is one of the most common ā and most preventable ā occupational diseases in trades that use powered hand tools. Here is what it is, how to spot it, and the exposure limits that drive what you must do.
The condition
Hand-arm vibration syndrome is caused by regular, prolonged exposure to vibration passed into the hands and arms from powered tools and hand-guided machinery ā grinders, breakers, drills, needle scalers, sanders and the like. It has vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal effects ā damaging blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints ā and the damage can be permanent or largely irreversible once established, which is why prevention matters so much.
The symptoms
Early signs include tingling and numbness in the fingers, and loss of grip strength and dexterity. A hallmark is vibration white finger ā fingertips going white (blanching), often triggered by cold, then red and painful as circulation returns. Regular vibration exposure can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome, a separate nerve condition affecting the hand and wrist. Symptoms build gradually, so they are easy to miss until damage is done.
The exposure values
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (Great Britain; the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 in Northern Ireland) set two daily thresholds, both expressed as A(8) ā exposure normalised to an 8-hour day:
- ā¢Exposure action value (EAV) ā 2.5 m/sĀ² A(8): at or above this, you must take action to assess and reduce exposure, and provide health surveillance where workers are at risk from vibration.
- ā¢Exposure limit value (ELV) ā 5 m/sĀ² A(8): this must not be exceeded on any day.
You can estimate where a set of tasks falls with our free HAVS exposure calculator, which uses the HSE exposure-points method.
Controlling the risk
Control follows the usual hierarchy: eliminate or reduce the need for vibrating tools, choose lower-vibration equipment, limit trigger time, maintain tools well, and use health surveillance to catch early signs. Health surveillance is risk-based ā see when is health surveillance required.
Manage vibration exposure and surveillance
Complys keeps your hand-arm vibration assessments and exposure records, and the health surveillance those exposures require.
FAQs
What is HAVS?
Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a group of conditions caused by regular, prolonged exposure to vibration transmitted into the hands and arms ā typically from powered hand tools and hand-guided machinery. It affects the blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints of the hand and arm, and once established the damage can be permanent or largely irreversible, so it is best tackled by prevention.
What are the exposure action and limit values?
Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, the exposure action value (EAV) is 2.5 m/sĀ² A(8) ā at or above it you must assess and reduce exposure and provide health surveillance where workers are at risk ā and the exposure limit value (ELV) is 5 m/sĀ² A(8), which must not be exceeded in a day. A(8) means daily exposure normalised to 8 hours.
Which regulations cover it?
In Great Britain, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005; in Northern Ireland, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005.
Related: noise at work action values, when is health surveillance required, and the HAVS calculator. General information, not legal or medical advice.