Posted By Russell Peacey
Hi Darren,

I have used "Trigger timers" supplied by Five Sides Industrial Limited.

http://www.5-sides.com/tool-timers-intro.shtml

They are simple to use- Just plug into an airline or 110/230/415V supply.

The advantage of using the timer is that you will get an exact reading of trigger time.
It is easy to over estimate exposure using a stop watch etc so by using the timer you may find you are not reaching the exposure action / limit values you may previously have thought you had.So you may not need to put in place controls such as health surveillance which will save you money long term.

I measured each tool type over a period of five days to gain an average reading. Then after obtaining vibration values I used the HSE's calculation tool to work out exposure values and make a risk assessment.

I hope this helps.

Russ

Posted By Russell Peacey
Hi Darren,

It was mainly for air and 110v Angle Grinders and Air Hammers/Chisels used to remove Weld spatter.Also used them on impact wrenches.

I took an average over 5 days because there could be some significant variation in the use from day to day depending on the particular size of components being welded, daily production rates, and how good the individual welder was.

I used the manufacturers vibration accdeleration data from manuals and doubled it (as per the HSE guidance note INDG175)so although I had accurate trigger times I stll may have been over estimating the exposure value.

I put all the data and calculations into an excel spreadsheet, and ended up with a risk assessment i.e. Low Risk = below the exposure action value = meduim risk = on or above the exposure action value and high risk = on or above the exposure limit value.

Russ