Aims:

The aims of the course are two-fold:
• to enable course delegates to appreciate the nature of Hand-ArmVibration (HAV) hazards in the workplace and the need to protect employees from hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
• to enable them to advise and assist employers to meet their legal duties regarding HAV, under relevant health and safety law in accordance with current guidance from the Health and Safety Executive

---

Course Content:

Objectives
After completing the course delegates should be able to:
• explain the requirements of current legislation
• identify situations where HAV hazards exist and assess the risk
• discuss basic techniques for control of vibration exposure and identify
areas where vibration reduction is required
• assess the effectiveness of vibration control measures
• evaluate the daily vibration exposures of employees from information
about measured vibration magnitudes and work patterns
• explain the uses and limitations of personal protective equipment

5.2 Measurement of Vibration
Magnitudes (1 day)
The current standards (ISO 5349:1986, BS6842:1987)
and draft revisions (ISO/DIS 5349-1:1999 and
ISO/DIS 5349-2:1999)
Instrumentation:
· instruments available and standards for their
specification (eg. ISO 8041)
· transducers (mounting methods, single and triaxial
arrangements, effect of mass, etc;
· sources of measurement artefact: d.c shifts,
overloads, transducer movement, etc., use of
mechanical filters
· calibration
· sampling of activities for measurement
The limitations of accuracy, repeatability and
applicability of measured vibration magnitudes

5.3 Control of Risk (1 day with 5.4)
Reducing vibration exposure:
· selection of process
· selection and maintenance of tools and equipment
· equipment modifications
· reduction of exposure duration
Reducing risk by other means:
· blood circulation
· PPE
· grip and push forces
· information and instructions to employees
about risks
training in correct operations and risk control

5.4 Monitoring the effectiveness of a
control programme
Regular review of risk assessments
Regular review of management actions and control
measures
Health surveillance
· management of health surveillance programme
· questionnaires
· clinical interview and medical examinations
· objective testing
· management of affected workers

Assessment
In two parts:
1. Written examination 2.5 hours, two sections:
Section A, ten short compulsory questions;
Section B, two from three longer questions.
2. Case study: Exposure Assessment and Control
Programme proposal based upon supplied
information. Assessment details given out with
examination paper and assessment to be completed
within three weeks of examination date.

Basics of Vibration (1/2 day)
Introduction to vibration
Continuous vibration and shock
Time averaging, rms, peak and peak-to-peak indices
Acceleration, velocity and displacement
Frequency and frequency weighting
Calculation of daily exposure
2. Health effects of HAV (1/2 day with 3)
Hand-arm vibration syndrome
Vascular component:
· vibration induced white finger (VWF)
· dose-effect relationship in standards, A(8)
Neurological component
Musculoskeletal component
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Requirements for reporting disease (RIDDOR 95)
3. Effects upon business (1/2 day with 2)
Lost time
Insurance premiums
Claims
Redeployment and retraining
Productivity
4. Legal Duties (1/2 day)
Employers’ duties
· assessment of risk
· control of exposure
· selection of equipment
· maintenance of equipment
· information, instruction and training for employees
· consultation with employees
· selection and assessment of PPE
· health surveillance
· reporting occupational diseases

Duties of Machinery Manufacturers and
Suppliers
Relevant H&S regulations:
The Management of Health & Safety at Work
Regulations 1992
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work
Regulations 1992
The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare)
Regulations 1992
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 1995
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992
as amended by the Supply of Machinery (Safety)
(Amendment) Regulations 1994
Proposed EU Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive
5. A Vibration Exposure Management
Programme
Identification of hazard
Assessment of risk
Control
Monitoring
Management of affected workers
Costs and benefits
5.1 Exposure Assessment (1 day with 5)
Evaluation of exposure and assessment of risk
Dose-response relationship for VWF
Determining vibration magnitudes:
· manufacturers’ guidance and emission data
· use of vibration information
· limitations of information (accuracy and
applicability)
· measurement of vibration
Determining exposure patterns and durations
Determining daily vibration exposure

---

Course Duration

5 days

---

Number of Delegates

10

---

Certification

Delegates will receive a certificate from the Institute of Acoustics upon successful completion