Rank: Forum user 
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I have a client who carry out grounds maintenance; they use mowers, strimmer, hedge trimmers etc; I have recommended job rotation to reduce operative exposure to vibration and to ensure they never exceed the ELV; they have introduced health surveillance, but the job rotation is not working fully and they are still at reisk of exceeeding the ELV; what other measure are available to reduce exposure; I have suggested additional operatives to improve effectiveness of the rotation of jobs, but they say it is not viable for the bussiness. I have suggested having teams that do specific tasks which would reduce exposure and they are considering this; any ideas
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Rank: Super forum user
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Has the equipment been tested for it's vibration rates under user are we relying on the manufacturers data- the latter often quite lower than the former. That could then give some "real" numbers to show the client. I viausalise the strimmers etc are the typical 2 stroke powered. What has been done to examine alternative equipment, could some be vehicle,mounted or for hand held, most tasks can be done using cordless power, which at least removes the engine part of the vibration input.
the wake up call for the client is to plan how they would deal with any employees shows signs of HAVS!!!
they may not be able to finance new kit in one hit, but a planned approach may be a reasonable advance and better than nothing.
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 1 user thanked Acorns for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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I am using the HSE vibration calculator values, which are now automatically imputted when you select a certain piece of kit, and they are higher than the manufacturers values and based on 75%ile. I have recommended they switch to battery versions, which they are a bit reluctant to do due to cost, but I am pushing that route, the same problems are with all the equipment they use, except the blower which is low vibration, which they are trialing a battery version, which is much lighter, quieter and lower vibration
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Rank: Forum user
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Job rotation only works if some of the jobs have little or no vibration exposure, moving from a strimmer to a hedge trimmer doesnt really help the issue, though replacing the strimmer with a rough mower or a scythe will!
You would be better off measuring actual exposure rather than simply following the ready reckoner as it will allow you to accurately measure any mitigations you might consider.
Newer gear tends to be better than old stuff and battery powered equipment is getting better every day.
There is no cheap solution to this that I have found!
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Rank: Super forum user
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If they are saying they cannot reduce exposure below the ELV because of cost - i suggest you get them the name of a good litigation lawer!
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3 users thanked HSSnail for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: Brian Hagyard  If they are saying they cannot reduce exposure below the ELV because of cost - i suggest you get them the name of a good litigation lawer!
Sorry i got called away and posted a little quickly - what i was going to add is there have been a number of cases recently which you could show them on the IOSH magazine site, SHP or HSE site which can show them the finacial cost of doing nothing, not forgetting the health cost to the affected individual.
Edited by user 10 March 2021 15:36:12(UTC)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: Bazzer I am using the HSE vibration calculator values, which are now automatically imputted when you select a certain piece of kit, and they are higher than the manufacturers values and based on 75%ile.
If you can get hold of the kit (beg or borrow), you may find it handy to do the measurements in a real world environment and they tend to be even higheer than the HSE calculator. It may help getting the message over to the boss.
I had to look up the reference - HSE doc L140 at P61 para 5 sums it up about the testing being representative of the operator's conditions.
I'm sure you have, but consider a financial balance for petrol -v- battery kit, the costs of fuel use & storage (Inlcuding full costs of geting the fuel and admin of the invoices etc), servicing etc. Many of these amchines have afuel supply of about 45-60mins use between re-fuelling so probably not a lot different to a battery pack, and fsar less messy.
It may be a hard sell, but if they want to remain on pertol kit, perhaps askinghow they will manage the employee with HVAS when it is diagnosed and see what those added costs will be.
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1 user thanked Acorns for this useful post.
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