Hand-Arm Vibration Checklist
(Taken from the "Tailgate Meetings that Work : A Guide
to Effective Construction Safety Training" series) |
|
Robin Baker, Robert
Downey, Mary Ruth Gross, Charles Reiter
Labor Occupational Health Program
(LOHP) School of Public Health,
University of California, Berkeley Ca.
These tailgate/toolbox
talks were developed for use under California OSHA regulations. The
complete set is available from the Labor Occupational Health Program
at UC Berkeley. For ordering information, visit the website (www.lohp.org)
The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
has adapted these talks to apply to federal OSHA regulations. To contact
ACGIH, visit its web site (www.acgih.org). |
Date Prepared:_________________________ |
By:_______________________ |
Project
Name/No.______________________ |
Location:__________________ |
- Check the
box if the statement is true.
- Fill in
the blanks where the
appears.
- Citations
in brackets are from Title 8 of the California Administrative Code.
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
- The company has
a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) that meets all
Cal/OSHA requirements. It includes identification of vibration hazards
on the site, regular inspections, accident investigation, and correction
of hazardous conditions. [1509]
- All tools that
may pose a vibration hazard have been identified.
|
Vibrating
tools used on this site:
- drills
- jackhammers
- asphalt
breakers
- grinders
- chain saws
- chipping
tools
- concrete
vibrators and levelers
- needle guns
- polishers
- sanders
- riveters
- compactors
- other pneumatic
tools:_____________________
- other electric
tools:_______________________
|
- Workers are encouraged
to report tools that are causing particular problems. [1509]
MEDICAL MONITORING
- Health monitoring
is provided for workers exposed to vibration. It includes pre-employment
and annual exams.
- Health monitoring
is conducted by a qualified health provider who is fully aware of the
signs and symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). The health
provider receives detailed information regarding the workers exposure
to vibration.
- Any worker who
develops prolonged signs and symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome
is removed from further exposure to vibration. Anyone removed retains
all earnings and seniority.
WORKER TRAINING
- Workers who use
vibrating tools are trained in the effects of vibration and methods
for reducing exposure. [1509]
- Training includes
information on factors that increase vibration-induced health risks
(including cold, noise, and smoking).
TOOL DESIGN, INSPECTION, AND
MAINTENANCE
- Non-vibrating
tools are used instead of vibrating tools whenever possible.
- Tools with vibration-reducing
features are purchased and used whenever possible. Tool suppliers are
asked to provide evidence that their equipment reduces vibration.
- Vibrating tools
are equipped with grips made of heavy rubber or similar vibration-damping
material.
- Tools are inspected
daily before use and are kept clean. [1699(a)]
- Tools are well
maintained. They are kept sharp, lubricated, and tuned. (Tools that
are worn, out of alignment, or otherwise in poor condition can produce
greater vibration.)
- Damaged, defective,
or worn tools are tagged and removed from service until repaired. [1699(a),
3556(a), and 3556(c)]
BREAKS
- The number of
hours in a day, and the number of days in a week, that a worker uses
vibrating tools is kept to a minimum.
- Operators of vibrating
tools take a 10-minute break each hour and/or alternate work with vibrating
and non-vibrating tools.
WORK PRACTICES
- Workers use only
tools with which they have experience, or on which they have been trained.
[1510(b)]
- Operators let
the tool do the work by using the smallest amount of grip force
possible (while still maintaining control of the tool).
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
- If necessary,
personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided by the company and worn
by workers. The types used are appropriate for the work and give adequate
protection. [1514]
- Workers using
tools always wear safety glasses with side shields or other eye/face
protection. Eye and face protection meets the requirements of American
National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Z 87.1 1989, American National Standard Practice for Occupational
and Educational Eye and Face Protection. [3382(d)(1)]
- Gloves and adequate
cold weather clothing are worn when necessary. (Cold contributes to
hand-arm vibration syndrome.) [1520]
- Gloves have vibration-damping
material in palms and fingers. They fit properly and dont increase
the grip force required to control the tool.
- Workers exposed
to foot injuries from crushing or penetrating actions, hot surfaces,
falling objects, or hazardous substances, or who are required to work
in abnormally wet locations, use appropriate foot protection such as
steel-toed safety shoes and/or boots. (For jackhammers, workers wear
a steel covering over the whole foot, not just the toes.) [3385]
- Workers exposed
to noise in excess of 90 dB use hearing protection.(Noise contributes
to hand-arm vibration syndrome.) [1521(g) and 5096(b)]
CAL/OSHA ERGONOMICS REGULATION
- If there has been
more than one ergonomic injury within a year to workers doing the same
task, the company has set up a program to identify and correct these
hazards and provide relevant training. [5110]
For more information on
power tools in general, see the Checklist on Portable
Power Tools.
Tailgate
Meetings That Work : Collection
Published in June, 1994 by: Labor Occupational Health Program, School
of Public Health, 2515 Channing Way, University of California, Berkeley,
CA 94720. Phone: (510) 642-5507.
Permission is granted to duplicate these materials for non-profit educational
purposes, provided that copies are not offered for sale.
This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author
and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent.
eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not
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