Noise & Vibration Flashcards
What noise level are advisory hearing protection zones?
80dB(A)
If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone 2 m away from you
What noise level are compulsory hearing protection zones?
85dB(A)
If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone who is 1 m away
What are some of the symptoms of HAVS?
1) Tingling.
2) Numbness.
3) Loss of sensation.
4) Loss of sensation.
5) Painful throbbing.
6) Extreme burning in the fingers and hands, especially after they have been exposed to cold or have become wet.
What is a common symptom of HAVS?
Finger blanching.
(This appears as discolouration of the fingers, which may be temporary at first but can become permanent with longer exposure).
Typical equipment that produces enough vibration to cause HAVS includes the following:
1) Compressed air breakers, pneumatic drills, concrete pokers and scabblers.
2) Hand-held drills, including hammer drills and rock drills.
3) Disc cutters, angle grinders and wall chasers.
4) Sanders, circular saws and planers.
5) Plate compactors and strimmers.
What must your employer ensure to protect you from damaging levels of vibration?
1) Your risk of exposure to vibration is assessed.
2) Measures are put in place to control vibration.
3) You are given information and training so that you know the risks from vibration.
4) Health surveillance begins if you are exposed to significant levels of vibration.
What measures should your employer put in place to control vibration?
1) Buy equipment that produces the lowest levels of vibration.
2) Choose work methods that avoid exposing workers to vibration, such as the use of machine mounted rather than hand-held breakers.
3) Make sure that equipment is well-maintained and attachments (such as bits and discs) are not too worn.
4) Limit the time you use vibrating equipment, so that you do not receive a potentially damaging vibration dose, and provide you with information on usage limits (trigger times).
What things can you do to reduce your risk of developing HAVS?
Be aware of the information provided on usage limits (trigger time limits) for vibrating tools, and make sure you do not exceed them.
Relax your grip and let the tool do the work. Applying too much force or gripping too tightly results in more vibration being transmitted to the hands.
Take regular breaks when using vibrating tools, and during those breaks exercise your fingers to improve the blood supply.
Keep your hands warm – cold hands are more prone to damage from vibration.
Remember the following about HAVS:
Smokers are more likely to get HAVS than non-smokers (as smoking reduces circulation).
Wear gloves to keep the hands warm. (The use of so-called anti-vibration gloves is not recommended. In most cases they have little or no effect on vibration transmitted to the hand, and in some cases can make matters worse.)
