Hand-Arm Vibration – Shock Truth!

[John Hancock]

Hand-Arm Vibration – Shock Truth!

 

 

No doubt you’re all aware of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations Act 2005 and its implications for our industry. To tell you the truth I wasn’t fully aware myself, until our saws were inspected by an independent specialist this morning…

 

The regulations will effect you if you employ anyone who uses a chainsaw, pole-saw, hedge-cutter, blower or strimmer.

 

Basically the equipment is tested for vibration and then an Exposure Action Value (Daily recommended safety limit) and an Exposure Limit Value (Absolute limit) is given. If your employee uses a saw for more then the Exposure Limit Value then they are at severe risk of White Finger and you’ll be liable to prosecution by the HSE.

Edited June 22, 2009 by John Hancock

[josharb87]

what were the results for the above saws john?

[John Hancock]

Hand-Arm Vibration – Shock Truth!

 

 

These are some examples of my results for saws that I consider typical working saws (some with slightly warn AV rubbers, the 044 had the rakers files down a little lower then normal…

 

1. 0200 T - 1hr-12m EAV (Exposure Action Value)

4hrs-48m ELV (Exposure Limit Value)

 

2. 026 – .18m EAV

1hr.13m ELV

 

3. 044 - .11m EAV

.44m ELV

 

4. 066 - .18m EAV

1hr 13m ELV

 

In short, if I abide by the legislation I can only use the 044 for 44 minuets, after that I cant use any other saw or blower for the rest of the day.

 

The 066 is slightly better, as it’s a fairly new saw with a new chain. The maximum allowed time I can use this saw is 1hour and 13 minuets!

 

I think I can work around these regulations as long as I have a full team so each member can make full use of there allotted time allowance on each saw. The problem will come on a call-out or storm when we’ve got multiple wind-blown trees. What do we do when we’ve all used up our allowance? Walk away?

Edited June 22, 2009 by John Hancock

[Mesterh]

Any ideas on the amount of time we are allowed to use them? I would imagine it would be difficult to keep a track on using a top handle while climbing:confused1:

 

I remember reading some stats about time usage while having one of those exciting inductions for a construction firm, the time allowed to use a jack hammer was something ridiculous like 30 seconds

[Big 'Ammer]

I am surprised that you didn't have something already in place, being LA, John.

 

As a contractor, I had to attend an awareness course about it with our LA back in 2004.

 

Our LA teams have to log their usage of machinery every day and hand in the sheet at the end of the week.

[Yorkshireman]

John What has to be remembered is those timings are trigger time only ..

the best figures are those issued by the manufacturer in so far as the machine is maintained within their guidlines

 

http://www.stihl.com/vib/english/documents/ALL_vib_calculator_Orig.xls

http://www.stihl.com/vib/english/documents/R_Leaflet_Vibration_E(final)_2004_11_24.doc.pdf

chainsawe havs.pdf

[Husqvarna King]

so are they/you going to replace the anti vibration rubbers and have them re-assessed? i wonder how the Husqvarnas would come up in comparison....as the antivibration systems are much stronger?

[skyhuck]

This is just ONE of the reasons I do ALL my own cutting and climbing.

[Johny Walker]

would the time allowed increase if using ms361 or ms441

[Big 'Ammer]

The important thing to remember about these times of exposure is that they are times for 'Full Throttle Trigger Times'.

 

If a saw has a reading of say 45 mins use, thats 45 mins at Full Throttle.

 

Don't count the time your holding it on tickover.

 

You may well use a saw for 4 or 5 working hours in real time in a day, but the actual time you have that saw running at full throttle may only be 45 minutes whilst making the actual cuts.

 

If you have modern, well maintained saws you'll have no bother.

 

Older hedge trimmers and hand held blowers a far worse than chainsaws for vibration.

 

The most important thing to reduce vibration is to have a correctly tensioned and sharpened chain.