FAS08-215, Hand-Arm & Whole Body Vibration

Summary of Standard

Summary of Todays Discussion

Standard Implementation Process and Technical Committee Purposes of Standard Definitions Health Effects Control Measures Roles and Responsibilities Attachments Next steps

Implementation

Standard development process complies with FAP08-001 Creating, Approving, and Controlling Occupational Health and Safety Standards Purpose of todays meeting is to review main provisions of the draft Standard, especially the significant changes. Standard will be posted for comment for 30 business days after this presentation

Technical Review Committee

Name

Organization Powertrain Operations OHS, Industrial Hygiene FoE, Safety & Ergonomics OHS, Industrial Hygiene Vehicle Operations Employee Relations, Medical FoE, Tox and Ind.Hyg Employee Relations, Sup & Ergo Employee Relations, Ergo OHS Mexico and South America APA, Powertrain Ops, OH&S Vehicle Operations, Ergo FoG, Industrial Hygiene

Paul Edie Kim Gasche Uwe Gavel Dave Hands Glenn Harrington Bill Heckman John Hopley Brad Joseph Helen Kilduff-Rich Eduardo Lares Tom Paradiso Marty Smets Marco Steuer

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to describe Company policy for activities where exposure to excessive vibration may occur. Comply with regulations, where applicable Provisions for work done by Ford employees Is a new standard

Definitions

Exposure Action Values: An exposure level at which actions need to be put in place to control the risk from exposure to HAVS or WBV to as low a level as is reasonably practicable once this action value is exceeded. Local: Refers to the country or region where a facility is located. Vibration White Finger (also known as hand-arm vibration syndrome and dead finger): A secondary form of Raynaud's syndrome. Raynauds Syndrome/Disease is a common condition that affects the blood supply to certain parts of the body, usually the fingers and toes. Trigger Time: The time over which employees are actively operating the equipment.

Where HAVS/WBV may occur

This standard applies when activities are performed that may generate hand-arm or whole-body vibration. HAVS can be caused by operating hand-held power tools, for example grinders, sanders and drills (particularly hammer drills), chisels, or by holding materials being processed by machines (such as floor or bench mounted grinders). There are various sources of whole body vibration such as standing on a vibrating platform, floor surface, driving, and construction, manufacturing, and transportation vehicles.

Health Effects

Hand-Arm:

Vibration white finger (which can cause severe pain in the affected fingers); Reduced sense of touch and temperature; Numbness and tingling; Stiff and painful joints; Reduced grip strength; Reduced manual dexterity; Carpal tunnel syndrome (a nerve disorder which can cause pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in parts of the hand).

Health Effects

Whole Body:

Abdominal pain General feeling of discomfort, including headaches Chest pain Nausea, Loss of equilibrium (balance) Muscle contractions with decreased performance in precise manipulation tasks Shortness of breath Influence on speech Long-term exposure : disc displacement, degenerative spinal changes lumbar scoliosis intervertebral disc disease, degenerative disorders of the spine herniated discs disorders of the gastrointestinal system uro-genital systems

Occupational Exposure Limits

Refer to your local regulations for occupational exposure limits ISO 5349-1:2001 , ISO 2631-1:1997 European DIRECTIVE 2002/44/EC minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration) Australian Standard AS 2763:1988 Vibration and shock-hand-transmitted vibration Guidelines for measurement and assessment of human exposure

Vibration exposure assessment

An assessment based on general vibration information for the type of equipment being used and the type of work being carried out should be made. Relevant trade associations or the equipment supplier may be able to supply suitable vibration information. In order to be suitable, the vibration information needs to represent workplace use of the equipment broadly similar to the way it is being used at Ford. The tool manufacturers vibration data which is normally found in the instruction manual supplied with the tool may greatly underestimate workplace levels of vibration and must not be used without confirming that the data is representative of the way it is used. The length of time the tool is used during the day is also required (i.e. trigger time).

Control Measures

Hand-Arm:

Wear regular work gloves and warm clothing in cold weather to minimize risk. Limit the amount of time of use of vibrating tools wherever possible. Keep the grip as loose as possible while still keeping control of the tool. A tight grip restricts blood flow, and also allows more vibration to pass from the tool to the body Do not use the tools full power unless necessary. Use other working methods which eliminate the need for vibrating equipment. Modify the existing process, if possible, to reduce the vibration exposure.

Control Measures

Whole Body:

Consider the choice of seat (including suspension seats) and the choice of tyres. Maintain vehicles (including their seats and suspension) and unmade roads and ground conditions throughout sites to suit the machines that use them to reduce shocks and jolts. Design the layout of workplace sites to reduce the need to transport materials, and so reduce the WBV exposure of drivers/operators. Limit the duration and magnitude of exposure - when all reasonably practicable steps have been taken to reduce the vibration magnitude, and taking account of the fact that there is no personal protective equipment available for WBV, the final resort for compliance with the exposure limit value is to limit the duration of exposure.

Other Considerations

Equipment purchase All equipment purchased must produce the lowest possible vibration suitable for the job. The vibration produced by the equipment must not exceed local limits (tri-axial measurements). The equipment must provide any warnings of residual risks from vibration. The equipment must provide instructions on how to use and maintain equipment to avoid risks from vibration. Replace old power tools, when possible, with modern, vibration-reduced types. Carry out regular maintenance Do not purchase or use impact wrenches (mechanical) and Jitterbug sanders (reciprocating pad sanders). Replace them with random orbital sanders (see POWER TOOL STANDARD PT7, Ergonomics and Power Tools). Training Train employees to use the equipment correctly (the supplier of the tools may be able to provide this training). Minimize the time individuals use the equipment e.g. job rotation. Provide employees with training reference health hazards related to using vibration tools and introduce health surveillance for these employees if required by local/national regulations. Occupational Health must be contacted to arrange any health surveillance program if required (Health surveillance is not a substitute for good risk assessment and vibration control).

Medical Assessment

Those employees presenting symptoms relating to excessive vibration should be medically assessed. Employees should be encouraged to report symptoms they may be suffering as early as possible. Implement medical surveillance/assessment only if required by local regulations (e.g. Australia: any workers exposed to an acceleration value of 2.9 m/s2 or more should be medically examined for the presence of, or susceptibility to, vibration white finger)

Roles and Responsibilities

Minor deviations in the roles and responsibilities are permitted provided all requirements of this standard are covered in each facility. The facility is responsible for appointing the Vibration Coordinator. The Vibration Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the requirements of this standard are met within each facility. Duties of the Vibration Coordinator will vary depending on the complexity of the protection program at a facility and local regulations, but may include: Arranging for and/or conducting risk assessments to determine the need for and type of protection measures in the facility Maintaining records Ensuring required training is completed Developing a program to eliminate or reduce risk Plant Medical is responsible for medically evaluating employees The facility training function, in conjunction with the Coordinator, is responsible for providing or arranging training specific to vibration protection needs of the facility.

Attachments

Procedural Flowchart ISO guideline values European Exposure Action Levels and Limits

Actions Following Exposure Assessment Sampling

If exposures are less than any applicable Action Level, then perform jobs as during assessment If exposures exceed any applicable Action Level

Evaluate employees for symptoms of vibration effects Improve process and re-sample to confirm

Next Steps

Draft Standard announced via GERT Standard is available for review and comment for 30 business days

Please use comment/response form

Comments reviewed by Technical Review Committee Publication of final standard in December, 2013

Thank You!
Questions?