Bad vibes: working with organisations to undertake health surveillance for Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is often a very challenging area of practice. Here, Francesca Machen offers a tiered approach.(NOISE AND VIBRATION)

Publication: The Safety & Health Practitioner

Publication Date: 01-NOV-06

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COPYRIGHT 2006 CMP Information Ltd.

THE HSE ESTIMATES THAT AROUND 5 MILLION workers are currently exposed to hand transmitted vibration. About 2 million of these are exposed to a clear risk of developing symptoms of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Exposure to vibration is most likely to be significant in the construction sector, demolition, quarries, foundries and public utilities. Many organisations will have considered the implementation of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (2005) and the provision of services to carry out health surveillance.

As with any contractual relationship, the challenge of the provision of health surveillance--whether 'in house', or outsourced--begins with the client's perception and expectations of their health management provider. While major organisations may buy into an integrated occupational health management plan, most in these sectors will select services which assist with compliance, such as health surveillance for vibration, noise and skin assessments. The reality is likely to be that SMEs will test the water with a pilot project involving a sample of the workforce engaged in core business activities.

The HSE defines the purpose of health surveillance as to establish systematic, regular and appropriate checks to detect early signs of work-related ill health among employees exposed to certain health risks, and to act on the results. This last point is what it's all about. Health surveillance is not a discrete operation carried out by occupational health practitioners (OHPs) who arrive on a client site, test for signs of hand arm vibration, and then go away again until next time. It is part of a range of measures taken to manage retained risk. In turn, this requires action on behalf of management, safety practitioners, and HR departments, and will succeed or fail depending on support at board level. Success will be more likely with the development of a top-down strategic approach, in which good communication of aims and objectives is essential to achieve cooperation from the beginning.

Contracting of services

For OHPs, who are registered clinical specialists, the aim will be to work with organisations proactively to prevent industrial disease and assist in the retention of their most valuable resource: their staff. It will also be to identify and 'case manage' employees who develop industrial disease, and to work towards the targets set for reduction by the HSE.

Most occupational health service providers will be willing to discuss their experience and provide...

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