Posted By bob smith
I need some help with a tool currently being used.

I need to carry out a vibration assessment of the following tool

Fein Super Cut 1.6. (oscillating cutting tool)

It’s commonly used for removing sealant from around car windscreens.

The problem that I have is the company supplies figures as follows?

Classification of FEIN application tools according to the vibration class

VC0 2.5 m/s2
VC1 5 m/s2
VC2 7 m/s2
VC3 10 m/s2
VC4 15 m/s2
VC5 >15 m/s2

I expected to just have one figure, and info of what class the tool is, sadly this is not the case. All the company can give me is the info above.

It’s tested to EN 50 144.

Can someone help me out.

Posted By bob smith
thanks

i have already done this, the info above is what i got back, it's also the info in the manual.

Posted By artisdeeian
Bob.

I have carried out many of these assessments, I attended a H&S conference when the new Regs came out in 2005 in Newcastle. The advice the HSE gave was pretty straightforward regarding lack of information with the manufacturers technical specification. They advised that because the information cannot be accepted as a true measurement and used only as a guide, 'We advise you to Double the vibration magnitude' in order to carry out your calculations. Ergonomics proved that the users of the tools are obviously built differently, and we all apply different pressures when using these kinds of tool, so even with a personal doseometer measurement for HAV this is also considered to be inacurate. When I am presented with a lack of information for the tool I have increased the V/M to 1.5 times rather than twice the measurement. This was still proved to be acceptable when I asked one of the HSE deligates. If the tool info is not available, loo for a similar type from other manufacturers and depending on the age of the tool your guys are using the it may be advisable to use the HSE guidance and Double the V/M. I hope this has helped a little.

Regards

Ian.