How to manage vibration exposure in the workplace: new guidance material
New guidance material to help manage the risk of workplace vibration-related injury and illness has been released by Safe Work Australia.
Over the past 14 years there have been over 5000 workers compensation claims attributed to exposure to vibration from a range of industries, including mining, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, trades, transport and utilities.
The cost in workers compensation payments during this time has amounted to around $134 million.
“Safe Work Australia has released guidance material and technical information about managing the risks associated with vibrating plant to increase awareness and help workplaces manage this hazard,” said Michelle Baxter, Safe Work Australia’s CEO.
General guides and information sheets, as well as guides for health and safety professionals to measure and assess vibration in workplaces, will be available.
Safe Work Australia said there are two main types of vibration — hand-arm vibration (HAV) and whole-body vibration (WBV) — with exposure normally occuring while operating powered hand-guided machinery such as angle grinders, drills, jackhammers and chainsaws or while travelling in vehicles.
The effects can impact a worker’s long-term health and may include white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational overuse syndrome, sensory nerve damage, and muscle and joint damage in the hands and arms. The longer a worker is exposed to WBV, the greater the risk of worsening their health.
The workplace vibration guidance material includes:
- Guide to measuring and assessing workplace exposure to hand-arm vibration;
- Guide to measuring and assessing workplace exposure to whole-body vibration;
- Guide to managing the risks of exposure to hand-arm vibration in workplaces;
- Guide to managing the risks of exposure to whole-body vibration in workplaces;
- Information sheet: hand-arm vibration; and
- Information sheet: whole-body vibration.
For more information, visit www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au.
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