Some employees who use hand held tools and machines that produce certain levels of vibration can suffer injury to their hand or arm. The most common result of this is damage to the blood vessels and is called VIBRATION WHITE FINGER.
HAZARDS
Using vibration tools such as breakers, pokers, cut off wheels
Poorly designed tools that cause difficulty in gripping
Working in cold weather conditions
Old injuries such as fractures that may increase the risk
Persons who smoke or are on some form of medication
HEALTH AND SAFETY POINTS
Symptoms could range from tingling, numbness, whitened fingers, loss of sensitiviity, reduced grip, painful throbbing when blood returns to the fingers
Not all the tools mentioned previously give problems, a lot depends on how tools are used and how long they are used for
Be aware of any problems and report any symptoms, however minor, to your supervisor
Keep tools sharp if cutting. This will reduce the amount of time the tools is in use for
Make sure equipment is maintained in a safe condition and is fit for use
If provided with any equipment that may improve its use then use it!
Keep warm at work, especially your hands
Wear warm gloves and extra clothing if you work in the cold and weatherproof clothing, if wet
Don’t smoke or at least cut down as smoking effects the blood flow
Use the right tools for the job
Don’t use any more force than necessary
Try to avoid long periods of use without taking a break
Remember its not only your work that will be affected but also social and leisure activities such as watching outdoor sports, fishing, rambling, gardening or even washing the car!!
QUSTIONS
What type of tools or processes could effect you?
What are the symptoms associated with vibration with finger?