HAVS monitoring is a method of measuring and tracking the health of employees exposed to whole-body vibration. This type of monitoring can help identify potential health hazards early on before they become severe problems. HAVS monitoring (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome) is essential to any safety program for workers exposed to whole-body vibration. Employers can protect workers from potential health hazards by measuring and tracking exposure.
There are two main types of HAVS monitoring: objective and subjective.
What is Objective and Subjective HAVS Monitoring?
Objective HAVS monitoring uses accelerometers to measure the amount of vibration exposure. This type of monitoring is typically used to assess exposure levels in a work environment.
Subjective HAVS monitoring relies on workers’ self-reporting of their symptoms. This type of monitoring can identify potential health hazards early on before they become a serious problem.
What are the benefits of HAVS monitoring?
HAVS monitoring has many benefits, including:
- Helping to identify potential health hazards early on
- Allowing employers to take steps to protect workers from potential health hazards
- Helping to ensure that workers are not exposed to excessive levels of whole-body vibration
What are the limitations of HAVS monitoring?
HAVS monitoring has some limitations, including:
- It does not measure exposure to hand-arm vibration
- It is not always accurate in predicting health effects
- Some workers may not report their symptoms accurately
How do wearable HAVS devices work?
Workers wear wearable HAVS monitoring devices and measure the amount of vibration exposure. This device is typically used to assess exposure levels in a work environment.
There are many benefits to wearing a wearable HAVS monitoring device, including the following:
- Providing an accurate measure of the time-weighted average exposure to whole-body vibration
- Allowing employers to take steps to protect workers from potential health hazards
- Helping to ensure that workers are not exposed to excessive levels of whole-body vibration
What are the long-term symptoms of HAVS?
The long-term symptoms of HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome) include:
- Numbness and tingling in the fingers
- Loss of grip strength
- Pain in the fingers, hands, or arms
- White fingers (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
These symptoms can lead to a reduced ability to work and carry out everyday activities. In severe cases, HAVS can lead to permanent disability.
If you think you may be suffering from HAVS, seeing a doctor or occupational health specialist for diagnosis and treatment is important. There is no cure for HAVS, but early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the condition from worsening.
In Summary
HAVS monitoring tracks employees’ whole-body vibration exposure to identify potential health hazards early. There are two types: objective, using accelerometers to measure exposure levels, and subjective, relying on self-reported symptoms. While helpful, HAVS monitoring has limitations and may not measure hand-arm vibration. Wearable devices provide accurate exposure measures, protecting workers from excessive vibration. HAVS can cause long-term symptoms like numbness, loss of grip strength, and pain, leading to reduced ability to work or carry out activities. Seeing a doctor for diagnosis and treatment is crucial to prevent worsening.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For medical advice, please consult a doctor or health care professional.
If you have a safety concern or want to discuss anything related to HSQE, don’t hesitate to contact Tony Ellis, Head of HSQE, via email or call 0330 113 0004 or safety@rssinfrastructure.com. Alternatively, you can request a callback using our contact form.
