Rank: Forum user 
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Use of vibrating tools within our process's such as hand held grinders and torque wrenches can mean that an operatives exposure to vibration will exceed the daily ELV.
However, use of these products is based on our work load, rarely on a daily basis, and as a rule of thumb is probably never more than 2 or 3 days a month, and never on consecutive days.
Whilst my main concern is in exceeding the daily ELV, an assessment of the tasks has concluded that it is problematic reducing actual trigger time on a daily basis, we would have to send 4 men to site instead of 2.
Annual assessment hasn't found anyone with HAVs or CTS.
The phrase 'where reasonably practicable' comes to mind in that whilst the ELV is exceeded, it has not provided critical at this point in time.
Thoughts please.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi cdt167, There may be a valid "reasonably practicable" argument when it comes to exceeding the EAVs but if you are knowingly allowing workers to exceed the ELV then you must surely know that you are leaving yourself exposed. There are however some other things to consider. You have probably looked at all these but just in case..... 1) Is it possible to re-arrange the work so as to lessen the exposure? 2) Have you conducted any vibration exposure or trigger time monitoring at all? You may find that the workers are not as exposed as you think. Vibration meters are available that attach to the tool and you can hire them. 3) The HSE has an excellent calculator for determining EAV and ELV http://www.hse.gov.uk/VI...ON/hav/vibrationcalc.htm4) Not all tools are equal. I did a study of a number of power tools a couple of years ago and was staggered to find that the vibration ratings of one grinder can be vastly higher than that of another and that in some cases the most expensive tool does not mean the lowest vibration rating. When you think about it, the higer the vibration the lower the allowed trigger time.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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CTD176
I mean no offence, but are you sure you exceed the ELV. Two issues, one is; have the vibration levels actually been measured or are you using manufacturers info, which may not be accurate especially if it is older equipment. The second and reason for my comment is that cutting using a grinder can have a significantly lower value than grinding.
As above different models ( same manf) can have very different levels.
The L in ELV is limit, so hard to get away from that. Issues with the employees will not show up immediately, so take care in putting stock in that.
How close are you ? More detail may allow for more help (may not, but you can hope)
Chris
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for the input guys.
We know we exceed ELV when we use these tools as although they are used intermittently, when we do use them, we use them all day.
Yes, we have calculated our use against manufacturers data, but I think we now have to do some measuring ourselves so we'll hire a meter next time we are on site.
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Rank: Super forum user
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There is measuring equipment which will measure the actual vibration levels of the tool (where it is held) and will invariably be greater than the Manf data. The ones CarlT suggested may only measure trigger time (which is often less than operators think), I have not seen any on hire equipment that actually measure vibration levels. They may exist, but I have not seen any.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Quick internet search, low vibration grinder level 4.8 m per second squared time to reach ELV 8 hours 41 minutes.
Hitachi G23scy 9 inch
Other makes and models are probably available.
New tool cheaper than more people.
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Rank: Super forum user
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http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/wbv/risks.htmOccasional exposures above the exposure limit value (weekly averaging of exposure) On very limited occasions, employers are allowed to average exposures over a week rather than over a day, but only in particular circumstances. This is primarily designed for where workers exceptionally need to carry out work causing uncommonly high vibration exposure in a single day, e.g. for emergency work. The main conditions are: that the person's exposure is usually below the exposure action value; that the risk is less than if the employee were exposed at the exposure limit value for the week. This flexibility does not remove the duty on the employer to reduce the exposure so far as is reasonably practicable.
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Rank: Forum user
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Chris42 makes a good point, cheaper to buy a new tool than send more men to site and with hand held grinders i would agree with this.
Unfortunatly we also use a torque wrench, which for the torque setting we require generates a hell of a lot of vibration, limiting use for between 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending which wrench we use.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sounds like structural steelwork. I'm guessing pneumatic nut runner that applies a bedding torque, and then part turn after?
There are hydraulic torque guns which don't have the percussive bedding in, but you do need to be Guss the gorilla to hold. The one I saw was for M24 and HSFG bolts (is that the use of the grinder, clean up mating surfaces?). It did have a long side handle which you were supposed to put against something to stop the employee spinning around.
You may find proper tool selection may solve your problems, happy hunting.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user 
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cdt167; as others have said you need an accurate trigger time to be able make the calculations, not knowing the tasks - but 45 mins operating a torque wrench does seem a lot?
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Rank: Forum user
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Spot on Chris 42, nut runners for undoing/ fastening nuts & bolts, and using grinders for those awkward ones that wont shift.
Depending on the size of the unit to be stripped out/ refitted, we are tasked in some instances with undoing may be up to 400 bolts on a single unit.
Undoing these are the worse task as its a 2 man job usually, one using the torque wrench on the nut, the other holding a spanner on the bolt head to stop it spinning.
Stuie-I've got a guy coming in next week to demonstrate a glove which has a vibration monitor attached to it and a sensor in the palm section to take measurements.
This will hopefully give me a better understanding of trigger time exposure
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Rank: Super forum user
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ctd167 - met with a 'rep' from what sounds like the same company a while ago - for one reason and another (no problem with product) we now have a handheld monitor, and will be installing some in line (comp air) trigger time monitors.
Having seen your response to Chris - maybe 45 mins is not excessive :-) dont forget that the guy holding the spanner (been there done that) will probably be exposed to vibration too if he is holding a spanner on the nut as it is being hammered by a windy gun.
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