Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) has been known for almost 100 years. It is referred to by various names: Raynaud's phenomenon, vibration white finger, dead finger and vibration syndrome. HAVS can affect upwards of 50% of people who use vibrating tools. While it is unclear exactly how many workers actually suffer from vibration syndrome, current numbers are thought to significantly underestimate the situation.

Who is affected?
Research indicates a linear relationship between vibration dose (level of vibration and years of exposure) and onset/severity of HAVS. In the construction trades, HAVS most commonly occurs in: Pavement breakers; Nut runners; Chainsaws; Grinders; Riveters; Air drills; Chippers; Compactors. HAVS usually requires several hours exposure each day for several months or years before first signs develop.

What are the signs and symptoms?
Early stages usually include episodic numbness, tingling and blanching of fingers. Pain in response to cold exposure may occur. The symptoms are intermittent at first. With increased exposure, however, attacks become more frequent and more severe. Recovery is usually painful. As HAVS progresses workers may notice reduced grip strength and manual dexterity. Early stages are usually reversible.
As the disease progresses symptoms include: Loss of circulation to fingers; Continued loss of manual dexterity; Gangrene and tissue necrosis. It is thought that vibration somehow causes direct damage to nerve endings. Advanced stages are progressive with minimal effective treatment.

How can HAVS be prevented?
Low (anti-vibration - A/V) vibration tools. Some tools are designed to be anti-vibration tools. This needs to be designed into tool from the start. Retro fit of tools is difficult and only works on rare occasions.

Work practices
One cost effective method is to minimize grip force (minimize coupling) on the tool. Hold the tool as loosely as possible and still control the tool. Other methods include: Use weight of tool to hold it against the work piece; Slip resistant handle to reduce grip force; Reduce the duration the tool is used; Use minimum speed or impact force that still allows job to get done efficiently; Provide work breaks to avoid constant exposure. Avoid allowing the hands to get wet and cold as this can further reduce circulation to the fingers.

[MORE]

Sources: Occupational Exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration DHHS (NIOSH)

On the Job ToolBox Safety Talks - Facts about Noise

Measuring Noise
Noise hazard depends on the level (sometimes called intensity) of the noise, its duration, and how often the exposure occurs. The point above which regular exposure to sounds becomes hazardous is a level of about 85 decibels (abbreviated dB, or sometimes dBA which is the value that more closely corresponds to human hearing). Noise is measured using a sound level meter.

You Don’t Get “Used to Noise”
Noise does not have to be uncomfortably loud, or even painful, to be damaging. You may think your ears are “used to the noise,” but what has probably happened is that your hearing has been temporarily dulled or that hearing loss has already begun.

A Rule of Thumb
When you feel the need to shout in order to be heard three feet away, the noise levels are probably 85 dBA or more and hearing protectors are recommended.

Using Your Ears to Assess Noise Risk
If, after the noise stops, you notice a ringing, buzzing, or whistling in your ears that wasn’t there before, this is a warning indicator. Called tinnitus, this is like a “sunburn” of the nerve cells of your inner ear, indicating that they have been irritated and overworked. Tinnitus is especially noticeable in a quiet place, such as when you are trying to go to sleep at night. If you don’t protect your ears from noise, tinnitus can become a permanent, constant annoyance in your life. Apparent muffling or softening of sounds after noise exposure is a warning sign that your hearing is affected by a temporary threshold shift. Repeatedly exposing your ears to loud noise without protection can cause the shift to worsen and become permanent, resulting in untreatable damage to your hearing ability.
[MORE]

Provided by:
3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety

On the Job Tool Box Safety Talks - Whole Body Vibration

Adverse affects of whole body vibration range from simple fatigue to motion sickness, low back pain, degeneration of the lumbar spinal system and herniated disks. Whole body vibration can also cause psychological irritation. All of these things create health and safety hazards for construction workers.

It is thought whole body vibration causes reduced blood flow to the spine which in turn may cause the adverse reactions noted above. Vibration may also cause continuous compression and stretching of spine resulting in structural fatigue or micro-trauma.

Control Techniques
There are three basic means to control whole body vibration exposure.

1. Eliminating the source of vibration - either modifications to the machinery to reduce vibration, or for vehicles, smoothing of the work surface.

2. Disrupting the path of vibration transmission
• Vehicle suspension - this can be of limited use for heavy haul vehicles as they usually
need tight suspensions which increase vibration transmission
• Installation of an independent suspension for cabs of vehicles
• Proper tire inflation
• Seats
i. Adjustable seat back and pan, lumbar support, arm rest
ii. Regular preventive maintenance on seats
iii. A/V seats are commercially available - but use caution in retrofitting seats into
cabs without an assessment of vehicle vibration characteristics. Amplification of
vibration can occur if the wrong seat characteristics are selected.

3. Training
• Need for, and how to adjust seats in cab
• Avoid bending or twisting spine after exposure (use simple motions to get out of cab)
• Avoid heavy lifting right after exposure

Provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance Group

###

Construction & Safety Expo 2013 Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Construction Safety Sessions
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
* Topics include OSHA trends, fall prevention and
protection, new GHS standard, electrical safety
and more
* CEU credits available
Sponsored by The Construction Safety Council

Construction & Safety Expo 2013
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
* Network with more than 1,000 construction professionals
* Visit 200+ GC, subcontractor and vendor exhibitor booths
* Exhibitor raffles and giveaways

View safety session details. (6 pages)

Safety Sessions & Construction Expo: $189
Expo Only: $40

Call Construction Safety Council at 800-552-7744
for more information on registration, exhibitor and
sponsorship opportunities or visit www.buildsafe.org.

Co/Sponsors for this event:
Construction Safety Council
ASA Chicago
Chicago Building Council

Warning System for Mobile Equipment

When mobile equipment is operated adjacent to an excavation; the operator must have a clear and direct view of the edge of the excavation, or… A warning system shall be utilized such as barricades, hand or mechanical signals, or stop logs. If possible, the grade should be away from the excavation.

• Use a signal person.
• Operators should get out of their vehicles and walk to the rear to look for people, objects and/or confirm clearances.
• Warn near-by workers who might be in the way.
• Near-by, on-foot workers must pay attention to the equipment and watch it come to a complete stop.

IMPORTANT!
If you ever see someone not paying attention to a backing up or moving piece of equipment, or if you see someone with their back to traffic – WARN THEM OF THE DANGER IMMEDIATELY!


Motor Vehicle Safety (Additional Information)

• All equipment left unattended at night must have appropriate lights or reflectors, or barricades equipped with appropriate lights or reflectors, to identify the location of the equipment.
• All vehicles with cabs must have windshield wipers and operable defogging or defrosting devices.
• All vehicles must have headlights and brake lights in operable condition.
• All vehicles must have audible horns.
• All vehicles with obstructed rear view must be equipped with back-up alarms or the vehicle is backed up only when an observer signals that it is safe to do so.
• All cab glass must be safety glass, or equivalent, that introduces no visible distortion affecting the safe operation of any machine.
• Vehicles used to transport employees must have as many seats as there are people and vehicle occupants must wear seat belts.
• Operators of excavators and backhoes must wear their seat belt when seated in the normal seating arrangement for tractor operation.

Winterize Your Car

Driving in the winter means snow, sleet and ice that can lead to slower traffic, hazardous road conditions, hot tempers and unforeseen dangers. Weather At any temperature -- 20° Fahrenheit below zero or 90° Fahrenheit above -- weather affects road and driving conditions and can pose serious problems. It is important to monitor forecasts on the Web, radio, TV, cable weather channel, or in the daily papers. Necessary Equipment An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared. In addition to making sure you have the tune-up, a full tank of gas, and fresh anti-freeze, you should carry the following items in your trunk: • Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack • Shovel • Jumper cables • Tow and tire chains • Bag of salt or cat litter • Tool kit Essential Supplies Be prepared with a "survival kit" that should always remain in the car. Replenish after use. Essential supplies include: • Working flashlight and extra batteries • Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth • Compass • First aid kit • Exterior windshield cleaner • Ice scraper and snow brush • Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container • Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy. In addition, if you are driving long distances under cold, snowy, and icy conditions, you should also carry supplies to keep you warm such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap and blankets.

Provided by Assurance

This document provides general information about a safety and health topic and is only intended for use in facilitating discussions with employees in safety meetings. It does not address all hazards, OSHA or local requirements related to the topic or accompanying photograph. This document cannot be relied on to determine whether a site specific situation meets all safety and health requirements. Assurance Safety Consulting is not responsible for any health and safety violation or injury at a job site.

Tool Box Talks-Heating Devices

Tool Box Talks - Heating Devices
Temporary heating devices are essential equipment during the winter months of the year, when working on construction sites can get very uncomfortable and cold. You may use temporary heating devices like circulating and radiant room heaters, LP-Gas heaters, or other types of temporary heating devices to make the temperature more comfortable and acceptable to work in, making you more efficient and effective on the job site. However, the use of temporary heating devices comes with several hazards, including the hazards of fire, fumes from fuels, the consumption of oxygen, and burn/heat injury hazards.
[MORE]   Provided by Assurance