ST. PAUL, MN — The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes that more than half of the 1.5-million US workers who use vibrating tools are afflicted with some degree of hand-arm-vib…
ST. PAUL, MN — The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes that more than half of the 1.5-million US workers who use vibrating tools are afflicted with some degree of hand-arm-vibration syndrome, or HAVS. “Eight per cent of workers in the US report using a vibrating hand tool more than four hours per day,” said Thomas F. Votel, president and chief executive officer of Ergodyne. “Because many hand tools vibrate at dangerous levels, these workers are placed in the high-risk range for exposure to vascular problems of the fingers and hands,” he added. The main culprits are handheld grinders, chain saws as well as impact wrenches and hammers. Ergodyne advocates such solutions as providing employees with ergonomically designed tools, job training and job rotation, as well as outfitting them with the use of personal protective equipment like anti-vibration gloves. Because the US does not have an anti-vibration glove standard, Votel noted, “any glove on the market can call itself anti-vibration.” As always, buyer beware.
Circle Reader Service No. 7.
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