Vibration white finger

Citation

(1999), "Vibration white finger", Facilities, Vol. 17 No. 3/4. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.1999.06917cab.001

Vibration white finger

Vibration white finger

Keywords Hazards, Health and Safety, Industry

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published two contract research reports today on the diagnosis and management of a group of diseases called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), of which the most widely known disease is vibration white finger.

HSE estimates that around a million workers may be exposed to hazardous levels of vibration from hand-held tools and equipment and that around 36,000 people could have an advanced stage of HAVS. The disease is a chronic disorder which worsens with continuing exposure to vibration. It can be limited by early assessment but without objective measures it is difficult to be sure how far it has progressed. Both reports by Professor Mike Griffin and Christopher Lindsell from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton, describe tests to assess the extent and progression of the effects of HAVS.

Standardised Diagnostic Methods for Assessing Components of the Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome, CRR197/98 examines tests which are sensitive to vascular changes (rewarming times, finger systolic blood pressures) and tests to diagnose neurological components of HAVS (thermal thresholds, vibrotactile thresholds). The report calls for tests to be standardised across UK testing centres so that data from different individuals can be compared.

Cold Provocation Tests for the Diagnosis of Vibration-induced White Finger: Standardisation and Repeatability, CRRI 73/98 looks in detail at the methodology for assessment of the vascular component of HAVS. The findings of studies investigating certain experimental variables which may influence measurement of finger systolic blood pressures and finger rewarming times are also reported.

Dr Ron McCaig of HSE's Health Directorate commented, "HAVS is a serious and potentially disabling condition which workers who are exposed to hand transmitted vibration may suffer. Health surveillance will often be needed for such workers based on reports of symptoms, often by questionnaire and physical examinations. Sometimes more detailed assessment will also be needed and objective test methods can help clinicians establish the severity of disease in individuals. The results of such test can help in managing further exposure to limit any further changes."

Copies of Standardised Diagnostic Methods for Assessing the Components of the Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome, ref CRR197/98, ISBN X, price £25.00 and Cold Provocation Tests for the Diagnosis of Vibration-induced White Finger: Standardisation and Repeatability, ref CRR173/98, ISBN 0-7176-1574-X, price £15.00, are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 6FS Tel: +44 (0) 1787 881165; Fax: +44 (0) 1787 313995. Priced publications are also available from booksellers.