Anti-Vibration Gloves – Minimizing Risks on Debilitating Illnesses

Very special protective gloves for use by workers these days are the anti vibration gloves Australia. These protective gloves are for use by workers who handle pneumatic tools, rivet guns, and jackhammers – all of which produce strong vibrations.

The repeated trauma of being exposed to repeated vibrations are hazardous to the health of the workers and operators of these vibration-producing machines and equipments.

In today’s market, there are now many gloves that work extensively as vibration-dampening devices, or are impact-resistant or can protect the metacarpals of the hands. The dampening helps reduce the prospective injury of the operators, but unfortunately, do not totally eliminate it. 

HAVS (hand and arm vibration syndrome)

After prolonged exposure to the repeated trauma caused by the constant vibrations suffered by workers who operate vibrating heavy machines, chances are there could develop such illness as Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or Vibration White Finger (VWF).

As it is, the Hand and Arm Vibrating Syndrome is a serious and debilitating illness. The terrible damage is the inability to do fine motor work with the cold and a potential for trigger blanching attacks.

Disabling illness

The bed news is that Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome is a serious and disabling illness. The damage includes inability to do fine motor work.

Mostly, HAVS can cause pain, tingling feelings, and loss of sensation or strength on the affected areas.  At early detection, this can be prevented. However, once the nerves, blood vessels and the joints are damaged, it becomes permanent.

CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome)

CTS happen when the median nerve, the one controlling the sensations and movements in the thumb and first three fingers is pinched or compressed. The compression produces numbness, tingling weaknesses, and pain.

To ease the pain, the patient can use splints in the wrist to relieve the pressure on the pinched nerves. The best solution is to cut down on the causes of the illness, one of which is working too much with hand activities (including keyboard typing) and using vibrating tools.

VWF (vibrating white finger)

Over-exposure and use of vibrating tools and machines can produce the vibrating white finger syndrome. The tips of the fingers turn white because there is abnormal spasms in the blood vessels that limit the supply of blood to the local tissues.

The illness is autoimmune disease of the connective tissues and can be alleviated with the use of gloves in the cold. It restricts the blood supply, and it can cause ulcers, scarring and tissue death (gangrene). 

Risk reduction

There is need to ensure that the workers operating vibrating machines would have to keep their hands warm to improve blood circulation and flow. They can also use frequent breaks to rest the hands from work. There is also need to limit the time in using the vibrating equipments.

Another measure would be to wear protective gloves which can help – mostly against cold and when using the vibrating machines.

Another risk-reduction measure would be to wear the recommended protective gloves which can help. It is also a good idea to wear anti vibration gloves Australia when operating heavy machinery that vibrates.