Use of Personal HAVS Monitoring Equipment

We have recently installed a new personal HAVS monitoring and alert system to our small tools at our K1 Knightsbridge site.

While the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations were introduced in 2005, there are still an estimated 2 million people in the UK who are exposed to levels of vibration above the recommended limits.

This puts them at risk of developing Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, known as HAVS or white finger, a condition which is on the increase. HAVS is a serious and debilitating condition that effects the blood vessels in the hand and arm, eventually resulting in irreversible damage if uncontrolled or monitored ineffectively.

The Curotec system is a considerable investment, and works in the form of a small personalised monitor, ‘Curo’, no bigger than a computer mouse, which clips onto the vibrating tool and records each operator’s trigger time exposure to vibration. A traffic light system then advises the user of their exposure threshold, and when the red light illuminates, it warns the operator that they have reached their maximum daily vibration limit.

Data from the monitor is collated on a weekly basis, examined by HSQE to ensure we comply with regulations, and the records are handed over to our Human Resources department for safe keeping.