Exposure to high levels of vibration can,
over time, lead to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which affects up to
million people per year. There are many tools that can cause this disorder,
including jackhammers, power chainsaws, power jigsaws and mostly heavy
equipment that vibrates while using. Workers who suffer from HAVS may feel
tingling and numbness in the fingers, so severe that picking up small objects
becomes difficult. Over time it can result in a loss of strength in the hands
and ability to grip. Properly fitting anti vibration gloves which are designed
to reduce the effects of the vibrations can offer protection from the damaging
effects of HAVS.
Anti vibration gloves do provide the wearer
some protection at work because they are most effective at keeping the hands
warm and improving blood flow which is beneficial when operating machinery.
Ensuring healthy blood circulation is crucial to help avoid developing
long-term health issues in your hands. However, anti vibration gloves should
not be viewed as a long term solution for employees who use machinery most of
the time. Gloves do not reduce frequency related vibration injuries and
believing that they do will only lull a wearer into a false sense of security.
Anti vibration gloves offer many health and safety benefits but the best way to
protect employees from potential risks is to monitor how often they use the
machinery and provide other tasks for them to do so they can take a break. The
takeaway is that anti vibration gloves don’t entirely protect the wearer from
their intended purpose, but they do offer some level of protection that is
vital. Anti vibration gloves were created to protect you from a condition known
as HAVS, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. This condition is brought on by being subjected
to heavy, violent vibration repeatedly over time. This is most closely tied to
the prolonged use of heavy power equipment and tools.
Prime example of tools and equipment that
causes HAVS are:
•
Impact Wrenches
•
Sanders
•
Pneumatic Drills
•
Power Drills
•
Jackhammers
•
Chainsaws
•
Grinders
Workers who develop HAVS first notice it in
their fingers. They usually describe the early symptoms as a pins and needles
sensation or numbing. The symptoms may come and go and may move to other areas
of the hand or forearms. The condition continues to progress without preventive
protection. This debilitating syndrome can affect the muscles and nerves,
eventually causing complete loss of sensation. Dexterity slowly degrades and as
the condition continues to worsen, severe pain sets in. The pain is often
exacerbated by cold weather. Everyday tasks requiring the use of fine motor
skills become difficult if not impossible to most. The simple act of trying to
button a shirt or pants becomes a struggle. A physician should be seen immediately
by anyone experiencing this degenerative disease. A change in habits is
necessary to combat HAVS. It is recommended that frequencies between 50 and 150
Hz be avoided if possible, and when exposed to them anti vibration gloves
should be worn at all times to help and absorb the harmful vibration.
