Hand - Arm Vibration: Risk Description

The Directive 2002/44/EC provides the following definition of hand-arm system transmitted vibration:

"The mechanical vibration that, when transmitted to the human hand-arm system, entails risks to the health and safety of workers, in particular vascular, bone or joint, neurological or muscular disorders.”

The hand-arm vibration exposure is generally due to hand contact with the handle of hand-held and hand-guided machinery.

Table 1 provides a list of tools that, when regularly used, entail, in most of cases, remarkable risks to workers arising from exposure to hand-arm vibration .

Table 1 - Examples of sources of hand-arm vibration exposure risk

Type of tool	Main types of processing and manufacturing
Percussive tools
Chipping hammers and scalers - Riveting hammers	Stone chiseling, fettling of castings, rust and painting removal - Riveting
Hammer drills, percussive hammers and breakers (hydraulic, electrical and pneumatic type)	Construction - Stone processing
Impact drills	Engineering industry
Impact wrenches	Engineering industry - Body shops
Sandblasters	Foundries - Engineering industry
Shears and nibblers for metal	Engineering industry
Rotary tools
Orbital and random orbital sanders	Engineering industry - Stone - Wood
Circular saws and jig saws	Engineering industry - Stone - Wood
Angle and axial grinders	Engineering industry - Stone - Wood
Light duty straight grinders	Engineering industry - Stone - Wood
Chain saws	Agricultural and forestry works
Brush cutters	Maintenance of green areas
Other machines
Lawnmowers	Maintenance of green areas
Motor-cultivators	Agricultural and forestry works
Nailing machines	Pallets, wood
Concrete compactors	Vibrated concrete production
Rotating shaping machines with flexible shaft	Engineering industry - Stone: Fettling - polishing
Motorcycle and scooters handlebars	Transports - Public safety
Cubing machines	Stone processing (porphyry)
Riveting machines	Shoe factories
Dentist's drills, orthopaedic saw	Health care: Dentistry - Thoracic and Orthopaedic Surgery - Pathologic Anatomy