Exposure to vibration has long been known to be the leading cause of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). One of the best ways to control the risk of HAVS is to understand the levels of vibration you are experiencing. Your daily exposure relates directly to your level of risk and has a significant impact on your health and safety. Understanding trigger times is a powerful tool in the quest to understand your level of risk.
What are HAVS Trigger Times?
Shaun from Principal Power Tools says “Trigger times refer to the actual amount of time that workers are exposed to vibrations from hand tools.” From a health surveillance perspective, the longer the trigger times, the higher the risk of HAVS. As the damage from vibrating tools is cumulative, it is essential to know how much actual vibration risk is present and whether or not they have crossed the exposure limits.
What are the Legal Thresholds?
The legal thresholds for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) are established under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 to protect workers from excessive exposure to vibration. These thresholds consist of two main values.
- Exposure Action Value (EAV)
EAV is the limit at which an employer must take action to reduce the level of vibration that workers are exposed to. Currently, the EAV is set at 2.5 m/s2. If workers are exposed to this magnitude of vibration while working, employers must take steps to protect their workers from harm. These steps can include work shift rotation, new processes or new tools. If vibration exposure is at this level, health surveillance should also be undertaken to detect any signs of HAVS.
- Exposure Limit Value (ELV)
The ELV is the maximum daily limit of vibration that any employee is allowed to be exposed to while working. This limit is 5.0 m/s2 and exists for a reason. Exceeding this level of vibration increases the risk of getting HAVS significantly. That is why this is considered a hard limit. Under no circumstances is an employee allowed to be exposed to this much vibration in a day.
What Tools are Available to Help Monitor Trigger Times?
Thankfully, many tools and processes have been developed to help properly monitor trigger times, helping to protect workers from unnecessary risks. What are some of the most common and helpful tools?
- Vibration Exposure Meters
- HAVS Calculators
- Personal Vibration Monitors
- Tool Vibration Monitors
- Health and Safety Apps
- Stopwatches and Exposure Charts
A combination of these tools should be used to properly protect yourself if you are using vibrating tools throughout your workday.
What are Common Problems with Exposure Limits?
Interestingly, overestimating exposure is common and while it is better to be safe than sorry, it is important to accurately measure your exposure to maximise efficiency while reducing the potential risks.
HAVS Trigger Times
With a combination of proactive measures, proper planning and accurate measurements, you can nearly eliminate all of the risks associated with vibrating tools, making for a safer work environment and more enjoyable careers. Be sure to follow the safety protocols surrounding vibrating tools, including monitoring trigger times, to get the most out of your tools while also protecting yourself.