SHEQ BULLETIN – 02 OF 2013
Health effects of hand
hand-arm
arm vibration
23rd May 2013
Crew affected by HAVS
commonly report:
• attacks of whitening (blanching) of
one or more fingers when exposed
to cold
• tingling and loss of sensation in the
fingers
• loss of light touch
• pain and cold sensations between
periodic white finger attacks
• loss of grip strength
• bone cysts in fingers and wrists
Since most
vibrating machines and
tools produce noise, a
vibration-exposed crew is
likely to be exposed to
noise at the same time.
The Issues
Vibration-induced white finger (VWF) is the most common
condition among the operators of hand-heldheld vibrating tools.
Vibration can cause changes in tendons, muscles, bones and
joints, and can affect the nervous system. Collectively, these
effects are known as Hand-Arm
Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).
(HAVS) The
symptoms of VWF are aggravated when the hands are exposed
to cold.
The development of HAVS is gradual and increases in severity
over time. It may take a few months to several years for the
symptomss of HAVS to become clinically noticeable.
Hand-arm
arm vibration exposure affects the blood flow (vascular
effect) and causes loss of touch sensation (neurological effect) in
fingers.
Diagnose vibration related diseases
It not easy to diagnose vibration related diseases
The acceptance of vibration syndrome as an industrial disease is
hindered mainly because:
• Not every physician is trained to diagnose vibration-
vibration
induced white finger (VWF) or other vibration-related
vibration
diseases.
• The causes of VWF cannot always ays be identified.
• There are no objective clinical tests to measure the
impairment.
• The disease progresses for years before the symptoms
become severe enough to affect a worker's ability to do
her or his work.
 PAGE 2 SHEQ BULLETIN 01-2013

Vibration Exposure
The threshold value of vibration is the level below
Average latent periods for
which there is no risk of vibration syndrome. In other
vibration-induced
words, it is the maximum intensity of vibration to
diseases in different occupations
which most healthy workers can be exposed every
Stage of Latency workday for their entire full-time employment without
Occupation developing numbness, paleness or chill of fingers.
VWF (years)
Workers will not develop vibration-related injuries or
Tingling 9.1 disease if their exposure to vibration is maintained at
Shipboard sufficiently low levels.
Numbness 12.0
worker
Blanching 16.8

Grinder Blanching 13.7

Factors that influence the effect of vibration on the hand

Physical Factors Biodynamic Factors Individual Factors

Grip forces - how hard the

Operator's control of
Acceleration of vibration worker grasps the vibrating
tool
equipment

Surface area, location, and mass

Frequency of vibration of parts of the hand in contact Machine work rate
with the source of vibration

Hardness of the material being

contacted by the hand-held tools, Skill and
Duration of exposure each workday
for example metal in grinding productivity
and chipping

Individual
Years of employment involving Position of the hand and arm
susceptibility to
vibration exposure relative to the body
vibration

Smoking and use of

drugs.
Texture of handle-soft and
State of tool maintenance
compliant versus rigid material Exposure to other
physical and
chemical agents.

Protective practices and equipment Medical history of injury to Disease or prior

including gloves, boots, work-rest fingers and hands, particularly injury to the fingers
periods. frostbite or hands
 PAGE 3 SHEQ BULLETIN 02-2013

Exposure standards for vibration

Adjacent is the graphical representation of exposure limits
(TLV) recommended by the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists. There are other
regulations and standards. Workplaces should try to
maintain exposures as much below the limits as possible.

In some international jurisdictions, the exposure limit is also

given as threshold limit and exposure limit. Threshold limit is
lower than exposure limit and warrants the initiation of
control measures. Adjacent is an example of such limits.

Control measures to reduce

Exposure excessive vibration
1. Reduction of Vibration at source.
2. Providing appropriate personal protection to reduce
effect of and duration of continuous exposure to
excessive vibration..
3. Adequate short breaks between use of Power tools.

Capt. Shardul C Shinde

Fleet Training Manager