Safety briefing - vibration

This briefing provides essential information to staff who use hand-held vibrating tools for prolonged periods.

What’s covered?

The aim of this Safety Briefing - Vibration is to ensure that all staff know how to protect themselves and others from the potentially adverse effects of hand-arm vibration.

Reasons for concern

Permanent damage can be caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to hand held vibrating tools, materials held against rotating tools and machines which are hand operated.  Exposure can result in vibration white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome and other damage.

The briefing identifies that the employer should have undertaken a vibration risk assessment and that employees should make themselves familiar with the findings. There is a list of control measures which employees can use to reduce the risks, including keeping their hands warm and dry, task rotation and following any instructions for the correct and safe use of equipment.

Key points

The key points remind staff about the nature of the hazard and the importance of the early reporting of symptoms. They must also take responsibility for their own protection by following any instructions including time limits which have been set for the use of particular items of equipment.