Rank: New forum user 
|
Hi all, My employer sent Myself for a tier 4 HAVS taest, which I have early signs of havs, and possibly some arthritis. The company`s head of Health and safety first said that I could still use power tools, hedgecutters, strimmers,lawn mowers,etc. up to the 400 points level every day without problems. However a senior manager has said that she does not want Me to go over 100 points in a day, so I will go with that. The Head of Health and Safety has produced a vibration chart, showing the machines, vibration magnitude and the exposure points. She has said that they are following manufactures points and that they would not be testing the machines. I think that this is wrong as the machines being used will be worse when used at full revs then when just idling in a test environment. The problem I see is that the points on the chart are nowhere near what they should be. In other words I think that the company have made them up. Some machines show an exposure point of 1.1, but the manufactures say 5.4, some even go the other way 6.9 to 3.5 points! I am unsure what to do, My line manager just puts Me down when I speak up about anything, and says that the work still needs to be done, even though I could be up to 100 points in about 1.5hrs. with still 6 hours left in the day. I feel like letting HSE know about this and see what happens, as I think they would be the only ones to listen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Very sorry for your circumstances
Might I suggest you start with HSE.gov.uk and search for HAVs
You seem to be being miss-informed by your employer about the difference between an acceleration figure for a piece of equipment e.g. 6.9 m/s2 and the resultant calculation that expresses exposure points per hour.
A vibration magnitude of 6.9 in the HSE calculator equates to 95 exposure points per hour. Use this item continuously for 1 hour 3 minutes and you reach EAV, use it continuously for 4 hours 12 minutes and you reach ELV
As a person diagnosed with early HAVs your employer should not be exposing you to ELV and ideally not even to EAV
If your trigger time on the tool is 1 hour 3 minutes your daily exposure is at 100 points the level where the HSE indicates either the tool requires changing for a less vibrating item OR the trigger time is reduced. Use the same tool for 4 hours 12 minutes and you hit the daily exposure of 400 points which the HSE calculator denotes as necessitating an immediate change of tool or significant change of the task.
Sounds like your manager has a grip on the concept of HAVs whilst the H&S bod needs to read up and act upon the legislation and guidance.
If you are in a union or have an appointed H&S representative it would be worth a chat.
Remember you have the right to refuse to act unsafely - your manager should be made aware of your concerns including if necessary sitting down and properly explaining the company systems, controls and calculations.
Manufacturer data as you have realised is from laboratory evaluation - more importantly new equipment in a good state of repair with no wear and tear
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Very sorry for your circumstances
Might I suggest you start with HSE.gov.uk and search for HAVs
You seem to be being miss-informed by your employer about the difference between an acceleration figure for a piece of equipment e.g. 6.9 m/s2 and the resultant calculation that expresses exposure points per hour.
A vibration magnitude of 6.9 in the HSE calculator equates to 95 exposure points per hour. Use this item continuously for 1 hour 3 minutes and you reach EAV, use it continuously for 4 hours 12 minutes and you reach ELV
As a person diagnosed with early HAVs your employer should not be exposing you to ELV and ideally not even to EAV
If your trigger time on the tool is 1 hour 3 minutes your daily exposure is at 100 points the level where the HSE indicates either the tool requires changing for a less vibrating item OR the trigger time is reduced. Use the same tool for 4 hours 12 minutes and you hit the daily exposure of 400 points which the HSE calculator denotes as necessitating an immediate change of tool or significant change of the task.
Sounds like your manager has a grip on the concept of HAVs whilst the H&S bod needs to read up and act upon the legislation and guidance.
If you are in a union or have an appointed H&S representative it would be worth a chat.
Remember you have the right to refuse to act unsafely - your manager should be made aware of your concerns including if necessary sitting down and properly explaining the company systems, controls and calculations.
Manufacturer data as you have realised is from laboratory evaluation - more importantly new equipment in a good state of repair with no wear and tear
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
I really feel bad for you and i hate these type of peoples who does give comfort to their juniors. Well, i would suggest you to concern with HSE.gov.uk and you will clear about the thing that makes you worried. It look like your manager does not have proper information about it thats why he is doing this with you. Also your manager needs to upgrade the machinery which is a little bit outdated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Tier 4 assessment suggests you have already been subject to routine (perhaps regular?) health surveillance and the employer is looking for formal medical confirmation of a Tier 3 clinical assessment.
That diligence in occupational health provision doesn't match the approach you describe.
Any occ. health and safety professional who thinks it OK to work to 400 points isn't worthy of the name and in any event the legal duty is to reduce risk to lowest practical levels. NOT work to a limit.
A 100 points personal management plan sounds right, I would have expected the Tier 4 assessor to be making that recommendation in any case. You have a right to see the findings of that assessment.
IF your workforce has TU representation I'd advise joining and pursuing the matter through TU. Whistleblowing to HSE will often not end well for an individual.
|
 1 user thanked Ron Hunter for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.