HOW
QUICKLY WILL USING THESE TOOLS AND MACHINES START
TO CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS?
This depends on a number of factors including the level of vibration which reaches the
hands and how long they are exposed to it.The people most likely to be harmed by
vibration are those who regularly use high-vibration tools and machines. For some people,
symptoms may appear after only a few months of exposure, but for others it may take
several years.
WHAT
DOES THE LAW REQUIRE ME TO DO ABOUT THESE RISKS?
Health and safety law requires you to do a number of things to protect your employees.
You should:
▼ assess the risk to the health of your employees and plan for its control;
▼ manage the risk;
▼ provide suitable equipment for your employees' use;
▼ maintain equipment correctly;
▼ give your employees information and training on health risks and safe use of the
equipment;
▼ provide health surveillance of your employees where risks cannot be completely
eliminated;
▼ provide reports to the relevant enforcing authority on cases of HAVS in your workforce;
▼ consult your safety or employee representative on your proposals to deal with
vibration hazards.
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