On the 14th December 2023, The HSE published updated guidance on the steps you must take to protect employees from the risks of Hand Arm Vibration.
A response to the HSE’s latest guidance on Measuring and Monitoring employee’s exposure to vibration
On the 14th December 2023, The HSE published updated guidance on the steps you must take to protect employees from the risks of Hand Arm Vibration. It can be found on the HSE website here.
We are delighted to put our full support behind this initiative and commend the HSE on the clarity they have brought to this subject.
Since our inception, we have sought to reduce the complexity surrounding the management of Hand Arm Vibration risks with the provision of pragmatic solutions and simple straight forward advice, targeted at helping organisations ‘do the right thing’. We believe this document aligns with our philosophy entirely.
HSE Guidance
“Monitoring hand-arm vibration exposure all the time is probably not a good use of resources and monitoring alone is not enough to control risk”
HAVi ADVICE
This is a clear statement that permanently monitoring operatives or tools is unnecessary and a waste of your finite resources. It is recommended therefore that you monitor for your risk assessment then sample monitor employee’s exposures at set times throughout the year.
Did you know that the HAVi Integrated solution is designed around sample monitoring with preconfigured kits to make movement between teams effortless? We can also support you in building a Suitable & Sufficient Risk Assessment for Hand Arm Vibration.
HSE Guidance
“You still have to show that you have reduced vibration risk to as low as is reasonably practicable”
HAVi ADVICE
This is such an important point and one that we consistently make very strongly. Simply collecting data on exposures is not sufficient to be compliant and to protect your tool operators.
You must take actions to reduce exposures. But how can you do this when there is just so much data across so many variables being collected?
Did you know that the HAVi ActivIQ with HAVs Risk Index™ and Smart Recommendations were designed specifically to suggest actions you can make to reduce exposures and to record the results.
Our AI saves you time and effort by streamlining your decision making processes and draws on our decades of best practice to improve outcomes.
HSE Guidance
“If you are using a monitoring system to prevent employees from reaching a set limit, be aware that retrospective recording can result in employees exceeding the set limit before you know they have done so”
HAVi ADVICE
It is critical to recognise the importance of the role of an individual in mitigating and managing their own risk of vibration exposure.
This has to be done in real time without adding extra workload to already stretched supervisors / line management. Ensuring the employee is aware of his live exposure and is trained to do something about it, will lead to better outcomes.
Did you know that due to the way the HAVi solution senses vibration exposure (on the tool), the HAVi Watch can be worn anywhere on the body to ensure the employee is always aware of their risk? This is particularly relevant when it is neither convenient nor safe to wear their monitor on the hand or wrist (i.e. cold weather, extensive PPE, confined spaces, alternating hands to use tool, etc).
We provide engaging and experiential eLearning content under the ActivLearn platform that helps anyone in your organisation understand the importance of managing HAV risk and do the right thing in real time.
HSE Guidance
“If you choose to use a monitoring system, be sure you are using it correctly. Logbooks, data loggers and tool timers can be used to monitor and estimate hand-arm vibration exposure. However, HSE has found that different electronic monitoring systems can vary by up to 20% when monitoring the same task.”
HAVi ADVICE
When it comes to sensing vibration, accuracy is paramount.
To ensure this, we fully implement the system for you, providing training for all tool users and supervisors. We offer further support with our E-Learning Courses that provide information and training 24/7.
