Hello,
Does anybody know of any good resources for finding out the vibration values for hand held pneumatic tools.
Mainly Sullair Pneumatic Chipping tool, Old needle guns and hand held shot blast equipment.
I need to conduct some assessments but can not find the required information. HELP!!!!

You can try the Off Highway Plant & Equipment Research Center (OPERC) website, i know they have carried out some independent testing on pneumatic tools and utensils. I can also send you some literature that we as a business have produced and provide to the end user of this type equipment which includes EAVs & ELVs if it would help (would require a postal address though). Old needle guns is a difficult one, would probably require manufacturing information.

get somebody in; as by the time you get old info, if old info is available, you will have spent lots of £ to realise that old info is no good without real time evaluation to go with it

Don't waste money having things measured unless it is essential, the Vibration regs do not require this approach and I am sure that the HSE do not encourage it.

If you cannot find the manufactures data do some proper research on the Internet, there are many vibration databases available with 1000s of actual field trial measurements that you can use.

If you cannot find the actual model then estimate the typical vibration magnitude from research done on similar tools

Try this database for starters

http://www.vibration.db.umu.se/HavSok.aspx?lang=en
regards
Steve

Are we back to the difference of expectation between statutory and civil courts?

The Vibration regs allow the employer to take a sfairp approach, not necessarily all-round measurement of everything.

The civil cases Bob speaks of would been successful because there were NO control measures, no idea, no specific regulations.

If an employer nowadays implements a reasoned vibration management system, the potential for injury has already massively reduced, although the use of badly-flawed data does leave a small 'hole'. Other defence layers in the system should pick this up, or compensate.

Having undertaken a number of vibration assessments myself, and also having use the OPERC website i would advise the follwoing;

Use the OPERC website first and foremost using the information contained therin in your vibration risk assessments;
If you cannot get the information from OPERC either undertake the vibration assessments yourself (if competent to do so) or get someone in to do the assessments for you.

there is plenty of information on the OPERC site.

allan

All power tools should come with the exposure value limits, (new) old hand held tools are different. Important sources for vibration information include scientific and technical journals, trade associations and online data bases , HSE experience has shown that vibration level is higher than that quoted by manufacturers. The reasons for this discrepancy may be that
:equipment is not well maintained
:equipment not suitable for the material being worked
:the tool has been purchased from a reputable dealer, or from outside Europe
:the accessories are not appropriate or badly fitted
:the operative is not using the tool correctly
In view of these problems The HSE recommend the exposure limit be doubled when comparisons are made with exposure limits.
Hire or buy new, hands should be protected by gloves to keep hands warm, and be used by trained personnel only and good rotation of tasks. It is important for all bits and points to be kept sharp and good communication between yourself and the operative.