Hand Arm Vibration (HAVS) Risk Assessment (UK)

Regular use of vibrating tools can cause hand arm vibration syndrome, a painful and permanent condition affecting the fingers, hands and arms. Where people use such tools, the risk must be assessed and controlled. This guide explains how.

What HAVS is

Hand arm vibration syndrome, HAVS, is damage to the blood vessels, nerves and joints of the hand and arm caused by regular use of vibrating tools such as grinders, breakers, sanders and chainsaws. It causes tingling, numbness, blanching of the fingers and loss of grip, and it does not reverse.

The law and exposure values

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set a daily exposure action value and a daily exposure limit value. At the action value you must put controls in place and offer health surveillance. The limit value must not be exceeded. Exposure depends on both the vibration level of the tool and how long it is used each day.

What the assessment covers

Identify the vibrating tools used, estimate daily exposure from the tool data and trigger times, identify who is at risk, and set the controls. Keep it realistic by looking at the actual time triggers are pressed, not the whole shift.

Controls

Choose low vibration tools, keep them maintained and sharp, limit the time each person uses them, rotate tasks, keep hands warm and dry, and provide health surveillance to catch early signs. Anti vibration gloves are not a reliable control on their own.

Record it

Record the tools, exposures and controls. Our risk assessment template gives you the form. Noise usually comes with vibration, so see our noise risk assessment guide too.