The use of power hand tools can result in an increased risk of developing Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) or Raynaud’s Syndrome (also known as White Finger Disease), a serious, irreversible neurovascular disease of the hands.

Where job re-design is not feasible, the best method to reduce exposure to vibration is to use power hand tools that have both ergonomic (e.g., the proper handle shape and size, as well as overall tool balance and weight) and reduced vibration designs. One manufacturer of power hand tools that has both of these properties is AtlasCopco, a Swedish company at www.atlascopco.com. Other manufacturers can be located at www.thomasregister.com.

Exposure to vibration can also be reduced through administrative controls. This would include rotating employees or limiting hours of use. The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) recommends limiting the number of hours and days per week an employee must use a vibrating hand tool. NIOSH suggests limiting its use to ten-minute operating cycles, totaling no more than two hours per day and no more than two consecutive days a week. Another method of restricting its use is to eliminate piecework and incentive pay.

A less effective method of controlling exposure is to wear anti-vibration gloves. There are many companies that manufacture and sell anti-vibration gloves. For best protection, gloves should meet the universal anti-vibration standard, ANSI S3.40-2002: ISO 10819.1996.

At a minimum, the glove must:

• Take out or remove 30% of the vibration.
• Keep hands warm and dry.
• Protect the full hand—no fingerless gloves since Raynaud’s Syndrome starts at the fingertips and progresses toward the palm of the hand(s).

Below are manufacturers who make anti-vibration gloves that comply with the universal standard, ANSI S3.40-2002: ISO 10819.1996. Be sure to select a particular glove that meets the standard, as not all gloves made by these manufactures meet the standard.

• Chase Ergonomics at www.chaseergo.com
• ErgoDyne at www.ergodyne.com
• Ansell-Edmont at www.ansell-edmont.com
• Impacto at www.2protect.com

Although an anti-vibration glove will increase the latency period of HAVS, gloves will not replace a well-designed tool with anti-vibration capabilities. Anti-vibration gloves, therefore, should be used in conjunction with anti-vibration tools for best results.

Resources

• Hand-Arm Vibration Checklist - www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0200/d000230/d000230.pdf
• Training Guide on Hand-Arm Vibration - www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0200/d000259/d000259.pdf
• "What You Don’t Know About Occupational Vibration Can Hurt You," by Don Wasserman - www.chaseergo.com/CHASEERG/LITERATE/rsch04.htm
• "Occupational Vibration-Are You at Risk?'" by Don Wasserman -
  www.quest-technologies.com/APP_Notes/Vibration_Paper.pdf
• Centralized European Vibration Database - umetech.niwl.se/eng/havsearch.lasso
• Health and Safety Executive-A British resource for evaluating vibration exposure at work with tool manufacturer’s specifications. These British regulations do not apply to the U.S. but do serve as useful guidelines. - www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/index.htm