What Happens When You Acquire HAVS

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.