Case Study: Optimising Health & Safety: Ground Maintenance Operatives and Hand-Arm Vibration Monitoring

In this compelling case study, we were engaged to undertake an in-depth occupational exposure monitoring exercise focusing on both hand-arm vibration (HAV) and whole-body vibration (WBV) among ground maintenance operatives. These diligent workers find themselves in a wide array of settings and are required to use a diverse range of tools - everything from hedge trimmers, strimmer’s, chainsaws, to leaf blowers, push lawn mowers, ride-on lawn mowers, chippers, small tractors, and ground maintenance vehicles. Occasionally, their work even necessitates the use of hammer drills.

The nature of their work is seasonal and often demands prolonged periods of tool usage. Operating in challenging positions, on uneven terrains and slopes, adds another layer of complexity to their tasks. This case study provides a comprehensive exploration of the potential vibration risks associated with such extensive tool usage in such complex circumstances.

Vibrations, both at the whole-body level and at the hand-arm level, have been recognized as significant occupational health risks. Repeated and prolonged exposure can lead to debilitating health conditions including Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and back pain. Our objective was to assess the vibration exposure levels in these occupational settings and suggest effective mitigation strategies to reduce the risks associated with the use of these tools. The study underscores our unwavering commitment to workplace safety and showcases our expertise in tackling intricate occupational health scenarios.
 

Our Method

In line with The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, we prioritise ensuring that the employees' exposure to vibration is either prevented or minimised to the most practical level. It is our mandate to regularly review the assessment of an employee’s vibration exposure.
All employees whose daily or weekly vibration exposure levels surpass the Action Value need to be identified. We then put in place a suitable risk assessment and control measures for those whose exposure levels go above the Limit Value. The regulations set the Daily Vibration Exposure Level A(8) for Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) with an Exposure Action Value of 2.5ms-2 and an Exposure Limit Value of 5ms-2. Additionally, employees are provided with relevant information, instruction, and training about the prevailing vibration within their working environment.

Our assessment methodology utilises precision tools such as the Castle Pro-DX Excieo Analyser. We conducted the vibration assessment in accordance with the requirements of the 'Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005' and relevant guidance, which outline the responsibilities of employers, employees and machinery manufacturers in reducing the risk from vibration exposure at work.

We took measurements of relevant vibration at the tool’s grip position whilst employees were conducting typical work operations. Given that some tools may have more than one grip position, multiple readings might be required. From the measured vibration magnitudes and the exposure time, we calculated the daily vibration exposure. The results of this analysis will provide a strong basis for an action plan to minimise the risk of excessive vibration exposure.
 
Our methodology also incorporates a points system, a tool developed by the Health and Safety Executive, to understand the impact of tool usage. If an employee reaches 100 points (the Exposure Action Value) during a workday, actions need to be taken to control exposure. The maximum amount of vibration an employee can be exposed to on any single day is 400 points (the Exposure Limit Value). We note that the points can change with time, meaning twice the exposure time equals twice the number of points. They can also be added together when a worker is exposed to different sources of vibration in a day. For tools with two handles in different locations, we use the highest of the two handles when calculating the points it accounts for.

Findings

Our observations revealed that Ground Maintenance Operatives, due to the use of various power tools and gardening equipment, are exposed to vibration that fluctuates slightly throughout their workday, based on the specific tasks at hand.

In terms of vibration exposure, our findings pointed to significant overexposure in certain situations. The BCS 740 Petrol Tractor Unit Rotavator in particular was found to exceed the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) of 5.0 m/s^2. Several other tools, including various models of petrol strimmers and rotary petrol mowers, surpassed the Exposure Action Value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s^2. However, it should be noted that all other assessed tools fell under the Exposure Action Value.

Upon deeper analysis, we concluded that the cumulative or extended use of these tools could lead Ground Maintenance Operatives to exceed the EAV within their shifts. For example, if the BCS 740 Petrol Tractor Unit Rotavator were to be used for more than 19 minutes, it could potentially expose the operators to vibration levels surpassing the limit value.

In conclusion, it is likely that Ground Maintenance Operatives are receiving a daily HAV exposure that exceeds the EAV outlined in the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, due to the use of multiple tools per shift. Furthermore, the partial exposure from the use of the BCS 740 Petrol Tractor Unit Rotavator exceeds the limit value for the reported trigger time.

8 Steps to Carry out Comprehensive Risk assessment to Ground Maintenance Operatives

Performing a comprehensive risk assessment for ground maintenance operatives exposed to hand-arm vibration involves multiple steps to identify the hazards, assess the risks, and implement measures to mitigate those risks. Here's a step-by-step process:
 
1. Hazard Identification: The first step is to identify the sources of vibration. For ground maintenance operatives, this typically involves tools such as hedge trimmers, strimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, push or ride-on lawn mowers, chippers, small tractors, ground maintenance vehicles, and occasionally hammer drills. Identify all the tools and equipment that operators use, and take note of how long they typically use each one during a work shift.
 
2. Vibration Measurement: Measure the level of vibration emitted by each identified tool. This should be done in the same way the operatives use them during their normal working operations. Vibration measurements should be taken at the point of contact with the operator, i.e., the handle or the grip of the tool.
 
3. Exposure Assessment: Calculate the daily exposure to vibration for each operator. This involves combining the vibration levels of each tool with the amount of time the worker uses them. If operators use multiple tools during their workday, each tool's exposure should be calculated and then added together to get the total daily exposure. You can use the points system as mentioned before: the Exposure Action Value equals 100 points and the exposure limit value equals 400 points.
 
4. Risk Evaluation: Evaluate the risk based on the total daily exposure. If the total daily exposure exceeds the Exposure Action Value, actions should be taken to control exposure. If it exceeds the Exposure Limit Value, immediate actions should be taken to reduce exposure.
 
5. Risk Control Measures: Implement measures to control or reduce exposure. This could include investing in low-vibration tools, implementing job rotation to limit exposure time, providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), or training workers on the correct use of tools to reduce exposure.
 
6. Health Surveillance: Set up a health surveillance program to monitor the health of the workers. This should include regular health checks to detect early symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome and other vibration-related conditions.
 
7. Training and Information: Train your workers about the risks associated with vibration and how they can protect themselves. They should know how to use the tools correctly, understand the importance of regular breaks, and be aware of the early symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome.
 
8. Regular Review of Risk Assessment: Regularly review and update the risk assessment to ensure it remains relevant, especially when new tools are introduced or when work practices change. You should also review the risk assessment if you receive health surveillance reports indicating that workers are suffering health effects due to vibration exposure.

Remember, a comprehensive risk assessment is an ongoing process and not a one-time event. It should be part of a broader strategy to manage the risks associated with hand-arm vibration in the workplace.

Recommendations

 
We recommend that our client implements a proactive, preventive maintenance plan that includes all tool accessories. This ensures that the tools are in optimal condition, reducing the level of vibration emitted and potentially prolonging their lifespan.

We also advise our client to initiate a programme for documenting robust task-based trigger times and vibration exposure schedules for staff. This could involve operatives filling out exposure timesheets during a typical working week, providing valuable data to shape any further policy changes and support evidence-based decision making.

To further limit vibration exposure, it's recommended that our client and its operatives maintain a thorough tool maintenance program. Regular attention to components, as well as maintaining sharp blades and drill bits, will help to minimise unnecessary vibration.

If exposure cannot be sufficiently reduced by these means, we advise the Association to consider replacing the tools. Ensuring that the tools are fit for purpose and can complete tasks efficiently in a short amount of time will help to reduce overall exposure time.

Finally, for heavy-duty outside work where vibration exposure is significant, it may be necessary to limit exposure by distributing tasks among operatives or opting for machinery that doesn't require operatives to hold them, such as small plant machinery.
 

Value Delivered

 
Our comprehensive assessment and detailed recommendations provide a clear path for our client to manage and reduce hand-arm vibration exposure among its ground maintenance operatives. We've offered a robust, evidence-based strategy that not only prioritises the health and safety of the Association's employees, but also promotes efficiency and tool maintenance, which can potentially prolong the lifespan of tools and reduce costs in the long run.

Our guidance empowers our client to adopt a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to managing vibration exposure, anticipating and addressing risks before they become problems. In delivering this service, we've not only helped our client to comply with the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, but also promoted a safer and healthier work environment for its employees. Our partnership illustrates our competency in occupational exposure monitoring and our dedication to delivering value to organisations facing similar challenges.