Hand Arm Vibration Training: What Is It And How Do You Prevent It?
Sep 28 2021 2:00PM
When you think about workplace accidents, your mind will often go to heavy machinery which, when dropped or misused, can lead to serious injuries for users. However, people very rarely consider the impact that tools which vibrate can have on users. Read on to find out more about hand and arm vibration training and what it can do for workers who need support in this area.
What Is A Hand Arm Vibration Training Course?
A hand arm vibration training course is exactly what it says on the tin: your management team and employees will be shown which tools can cause damage through vibration, and exactly what issues might result from using vibrating tools in the long run (including loss of light touch, bone cysts in the fingers and wrists and loss of grip strength). On completion of the course, everyone that takes part will be given a competence certificate, but more importantly, they will have received all of the information they could possibly need about dealing with the effects of hand arm vibration in the workplace.
Dealing With Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
Getting this training is so important because the alternative is having to live with hand arm vibration syndrome, also known as HAVS. The symptoms include tingling and numbness, a loss of strength in the hands and even employees struggling to pick up small objects like nails and screws. This gradual loss of fine motor functions may not be something that immediately worries you, but it's important to note that this loss is not repairable, and once HAVS sets in, it can be a lifelong issue. It's this permanence and severity of the impact that makes hand arm vibration training vital in the workplace.
The Benefits For Your Workplace
Engaging in hand arm vibration training offers plenty of benefits for your workplace. Firstly, there's the simple fact that your employees will be happier and healthier in the long run. Not only will you be able to retain employees for longer than you would if they got injured, but they can enjoy a much more pleasant lifestyle with all of their motor functions intact. In addition to this is improved productivity levels, as your employees will be able to complete their roles with relative ease compared to if they had HAVS.
If you're interested in making use of hand arm vibration awareness training in your workplace, get in touch with Arion today to find out more about occupational health and safety courses and how they could help your business.
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