Hand Arm Vibration (HAVS) Testing

Commonly caused by excessive use of vibrating tooling and machinery, such as power tools, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a serious medical condition that affects tens of thousands of workers across the UK each year.

Primarily affecting the blood vessels and nerves in the hands and wrists of the sufferer, the most common symptoms include loss of strength in the hands and wrists and loss of feeling and sensation in the tips of the fingers, often referred to as White Finger.

Although HAVS is preventable, once the damage is done, it is permanent and can cause significant life-long health issues for anyone who is unfortunate enough to suffer from the disorder.

We offer a line-side HAVS testing service where there is no need for your equipment to leave the shop floor. In most instances tests can be carried out in minutes, leaving your tools ready to be used immediately after, so you can carry on working without experiencing production downtime.

During our testing process we will assess the tool to ensure it meets the guidelines for safe vibrations and if it requires a repair or adjustment, we will fix it for you there and then. We will also test the acoustics of the equipment, which will be recorded on your asset certificate, and provide a calibration if the tool requires one.

As part of our visit, all items tested will receive a free health check, removing the need for additional preventative maintenance checks. Our team can advise you on the recommended frequency of these visits depending on your tool usage.

In 2005, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought in the ‘Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005’ to help protect employees from the risk of HAVS. As an employer, by law, you must aim to reduce or eliminate the risk of exposure to hand-arm vibrations by having control measures in place. These measures could include regular maintenance and testing of tooling and equipment to ensure they meet the recommended HSE guidelines.