Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome: Why Employers Need to Prioritise This

Last Updated on 7 April 2025 by Rebecca Young

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is caused by exposure to vibration at work and is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent. Approximately 3,000 fresh claims for Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit are made annually relating to vibration white finger (VWF syndrome) and hand and arm vibration-related carpal tunnel syndrome.

In this employer’s guide, we explain why you must put HAVS disease risk management at the top of your Health and Safety agenda and what you need to do to reduce and control the risks from hand-arm vibration at work.

Damage From HAVS Disease: Two Common Conditions

Vibration is the rapid acceleration and deceleration of a body or body part, produced by rotating or oscillating machinery. When this movement is transmitted to the human body – usually through the hands, arms, feet, or buttocks – it has the potential to cause injury.

Two common conditions associated with hand and arm vibration syndrome with regular and frequent exposure potentially leading to permanent health effects are:

1. Vibration White Finger (VWF syndrome)
2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

We’ll explain these in a moment but first….

Identifying The Early Signs of HAV Syndrome Is Crucial:

Identifying the early signs of hand vibration syndrome is crucial for an employer to take action to prevent the health effects from becoming more serious. HAVS is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent.

Regular exposure to hand-arm vibration can lead to permanent injuries such as:

• Damage to the blood circulation in the fingers (VWF syndrome)
• Pain in the wrists (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
• Pain or loss of sensation in the hands or fingers
• Loss of grip strength
• Tingling sensations (pins and needles)
• Loss of manual dexterity
• Loss of temperature sense in the fingers.

Noise hazards may also be present concurrently with vibration issues – the noise hazards must also be appropriately considered and adequately controlled.

The Health Effects and Symptoms of Hand-Arm Vibration at Work

For some employees, the symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome may appear after only a few months of exposure, but for others, they may take a few years. They are likely to worsen with continued exposure to vibration and may become permanent.

What is Vibration White Finger (VWF syndrome)?

Vibration White Finger (VWF) is a condition which begins with the tips of the fingers blanching (turning white) and feeling numb. As the condition progresses the whole finger may be affected. Symptoms: Attacks are short-lived (usually up to 30 minutes) and often end with a painful throbbing as the blood returns to the finger, normally characterised by reddening of the fingers.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a specific type of nerve/muscle damage caused (among other things) by vibration in which the nerves in the wrist are compressed, leading to pain and stiffness.

Symptoms: Potentially, any part of the hand could be affected by numbness, tingling, loss of strength and sensitivity.

What Is the Exposure Action Value?

The exposure action value (EAV) is the daily amount of vibration exposure above which employers are required to take action to control exposure. The exposure limit value (ELV) is the maximum amount of vibration an employee may be exposed to on any day.

Do I Have to Conduct a Hand and Arm Vibration Risk Assessment at Work?

A hand-arm vibration risk assessment must be completed before conducting any activities that may expose people to vibration harm. The risk assessment process should cover a defined task, process, or activity where the individual(s) may be exposed to hand-arm vibration at work, before purchase, hire or use.

The risk assessment process must ensure that the following points have been considered:

• All existing power tools, equipment and machinery which potentially pose a risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome must be identified and the conditions under which these items are used must be recorded.
• The maximum duration of their use (‘trigger time’ for HAVS) in any working day must be determined, if necessary, by keeping a log or using monitoring devices. This is particularly relevant where individuals use different pieces of equipment on the same working day.
• The vibration magnitude from each piece of equipment must be assessed using information from the manufacturer or vibration monitoring equipment, considering the task undertaken and the material being worked upon.
• Individual factors such as pre-existing health conditions that may increase risk from vibration exposure for employees must be considered.
• The control measures currently in place to reduce the risk from vibration exposure and the adequacy of those measures.If your employees use vibrating equipment, you may need to consider noise-related risks. Learn more here: Managing Workplace Noise: H&S Employer Guide for Safeguarding Employee Well-being

Implementing HAVS Control Measures

Where the hand-arm vibration risk assessment determines that vibration exposure levels are significant and the effect of exposure is likely harmful to health, action must be taken to reduce vibration exposure.

The risk assessment must identify ways of controlling exposure, including how much reduction can be achieved and by which means the continuing effectiveness of those control measures can be verified and documented records maintained. The work activities that comprise the highest risk of exposure to hand-arm vibration should be dealt with first.

Risk control measures for hand-arm vibration at work

Employers should consider the following risk control measures and adopt elements accordingly.

• Select work equipment that is fit for purpose and can carry out the task efficiently. Equipment that is unsuitable, ill-fitting, or lacking in power is likely to take much longer to complete the task and as a result, it may expose employees for longer than is necessary.
• Choose the lowest vibration tool necessary to do the work to reduce the risk of HAV syndrome. Efficiently limit the use of high-vibration tools wherever possible and decrease exposure ‘trigger’ times accordingly.
• Create a work equipment register for every power tool, including how they are used, their vibration magnitude m/s², how long they can be used, their exposure points, age, maintenance schedule etc. Label or tag tools using a colour-coded traffic light system for their vibration exposure levels, and/or label them with points values.
• Establish a purchasing policy for replacing old equipment and tools with ones suitable for the work, efficient and of lower vibration magnitude.
• Use implements such as jigs and suspension systems to reduce the load on the operator’s arms and the grip strength they need to apply.
• Follow an appropriate maintenance programme in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines for equipment to help prevent additional vibration and risk of hand-arm vibration.
• Do not use blunt or damaged work equipment and replace consumable items such as grinding wheels, so that equipment is efficient and keeps employee exposure as short as possible.
• Limit the time employees are exposed to vibration. Redesign jobs to eliminate the need for vibrating tools where practicable and/or change working practices putting administrative controls in place to reduce individuals’ exposure to hand-arm vibration at work. Enable employees to take breaks from using their power tools by doing other tasks.
• Plan work to avoid individuals being exposed to vibration for long, continuous periods – several shorter periods are preferable. Where tools require continual or frequent use, introduce a rota system to limit exposure times.

Provide personal protective clothing to employees, particularly gloves and other items to keep them warm and dry and provide further protection from the effects of vibration. Control measures put in place must be regularly reviewed and documented to avoid exposure to HAVS (hand-arm vibration syndrome)

Health Surveillance for Hand-Arm Vibration at Work

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations 2005) require employers to carry out health surveillance where there is a health risk.

Health surveillance should be considered as part of the overall risk control strategy where employees are likely to be exposed at or above threshold limits and where the risk assessment identifies that the frequency and severity of exposure may pose a health risk.

When health surveillance is deemed required, it should be conducted at least annually. An initial (or baseline) assessment and periodic health surveillance are typically needed for HAVS. The results of health surveillance must be used to review and where necessary revise the hand and arm vibration risk assessment, including plans to control the risks. Records of health surveillance and fitness for work advice provided for each employee should be retained by an Occupational Health provider for 40 years.

When a recommendation is made that it is no longer safe to expose an employee to vibration energy, consideration must be given regarding what action to take, including the availability of alternative work without exposure to vibration. As a last resort, a recommendation of not fit for work may need to be made on safety grounds.

Pre-employment screening should be provided for potential employees as advised by Occupational Health for those likely to be exposed to vibrating equipment during their employment.

Do you have a hand-arm vibration problem at work?

Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a painful and disabling condition that affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints of the hands and arms. By law, as an employer, you must assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks from exposure to hand-arm vibration so that you can protect your employees from risks to their health.

If you’re unsure whether you have actioned all the control measures to protect your employees from HAVS (hand arm vibration syndrome), perhaps now would be a good time to see how we can support your business. Arrange a call back or get a quick quote today!