CONTROL OF VIBRATION HSPS02 Risk assessment examples Assessment Reference No. HSPS02 example Assessment date 6 April 2011 Area or Activity assessed: Hand Arm Vibration Ground Maintenance Equipment Total number of sheets used: Persons who may be affected by the activity and are at risk: Outdoor workers SECTION 1: IDENTIFY HAZARDS Consider the activity or work area and identify if any of the hazards listed below are significant (tick the boxes that apply). 1 Fall of person (from work at height) 6 Display screen equipment work 11 Condition of building and glazing 16 Noise at work 21 Hazardous fumes, chemicals, dust 26 Lone working/ work out of hours 2 Fall of objects 7 Repetitive movements or static postures 12 Electrical hazards or Equipment Vibrating tools or equipment 22 Hazardous biological agents 27 Violence to staff/verbal assault 3 Slips and trips, housekeeping 8 Layout, storage, space, obstructions 13 Use of portable tools/ equipment 18 Fire hazards and flammable material 23 Confined space/ asphyxiation risk 28 Lack of shelter/welfare facilities 4 Manual handling operations 9 Heating, lighting and ventilation 14 Fixed machinery or equipment 19 Pressure vessels or stored energy 24 Food preparation 29 5 Mechanical Lifting operations 10 Staff welfare facilities 15 Transport/ driving at work 20 Outdoor work/ extreme weather 25 Occupational stress 30 Version 4.0 November 2011 Not protectively marked
SECTION 2: RISK CONTROLS For each hazard identified in Section 1, complete Section 2 (list any additional hazards in the spare boxes 28 to 30). Hazard number Hazard description Existing controls in place to reduce risk you (check that these controls are actually Residual Risk working) S P R Further action needed to reduce risks Reduced Risk S P R,20 Insufficient information, instruction and training All operatives to be provided with a minimum of hand arm vibration toolbox talks. Training and toolbox talks provided to apprentices 3 3 9 Line managers to attend hand arm vibration awareness training run by a competent training provider at least every 3 years. Vulnerable employees Short self-assessment questionnaire issued to screen employees who will be working with vibration. 3 3 9 Individual risk assessments to be carried out for vulnerable employees Inadequate health surveillance Annual screening (Tier 2) carried out by Occupational Health 3 3 9 On referral, all at risk employees to undergo further medical assessment (Tier 3) and Tier 4 assessment where fitness to work is in question Poorly maintained equipment Inventory kept. Equipment checks before use, high vibration levels and faults reported and fixed. 3 3 9 Implementing rolling maintenance programme for high use tools that cause hand arm vibration (HAV) Unsuitable equipment When selecting new equipment consideration is given to minimising vibration levels. 3 3 9 Compare vibration data from different manufacturers prior to purchasing products
Monitoring HAV levels have been measured for rotary and percussive equipment 3 4 12 High risk equipment to be colour coded and labelled and staff informed. 3 3 9 Vibration Exposure Vibration exposure monitored by supervisors via weekly data sheets and record forms 3 3 9 Workers exposure to be regularly reviewed and discussed at team meetings and alternative ways of working developed 7,,20 Vibration Exposure Job rotation used to limit exposure of individual workers and provide variety of movement to work activities 3 3 9 Outdoor workers provided with weather proof clothing and shelter Vibration Exposure Supervisors to ensure that the equipment provided is suitable for the intended use 3 3 9 Create equipment replacement plan, prioritising according to vibration levels and usage Name of Assessor(s) Risk assessor Signed Risk assessor Department Service Unit Parks Community Services (S)Severity: Insignificant = 1; Minor = 2; Moderate =3; Major = 4; Fatal = 5 (R)Risk rating = S x P Low = 1-5; Medium = 6-10; High = 11-15; Very High = 16+ (P)Probability: V. Unlikely = 1; Unlikely = 2; Possible = 3; Likely = 4; Almost Certain = 5 SECTION 2.1: RECORD OF EXPOSURE Risk Controls For each vibrating tool identified in this section, enter the measured vibration magnitude as an RMS value then under Record of Exposure enter the time it will take to reach the Exposure Action Value and the Exposure Limit Value. (Contact the H&S team on Tel 312523 if in doubt). Below this enter the maximum time the tool is used in hr/min and the frequency it is used for in days per week. Also enter the typical daily usage where this is different. Using the Hand Arm Vibration Exposure Calculator at http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/vibrationcalc.htm and the values you have just entered calculate the partial vibration exposure for the tool. If you identify a regular activity involving several of the tools on your completed list then the total daily exposure can also be calculated using the hand arm vibration exposure calculator. The combined exposure should then be recorded in a similar fashion as that used for a single item of equipment.
This approach can be personalized to a team/individual. The hand arm vibration risk assessment should be informed and reviewed on the basis of the supervisors weekly record sheet, either annually or following significant changes in working practice. Hazard number Tool/equipment DeWalt 25900k small breaker Potential exposure Action Value reached in 9 min Limit Value reached in 38 min Residual Risk S P R Further action needed to reduce risks Reduced Risk S P R 3 3 9 Used for a maximum of 40 min once a month. (This would exceeds Limit Value if used by one operative) Generally used for 10-15 min daily (Equivalent to 3.1m/s 2 A(8) or 158 exposure points) Strimmer Stihl FS450 Action Value reached in 1hr 24 min Limit Value reached in 5 hr 38 min 3 3 9 Job rotation used to reduce use to 2 hr during busy periods. Monitoring regime to be implemented to record usage RMS 5.96 Used for a maximum of 4 hours at least three times a week during the summer months. At other times for between 15 to 20 min Rotary Lawn Mower Hayter Harrier 48 Lawnmower Action Value reached in 1hr 1min Limit Value reached in 4hr 5min Used for a maximum of 4hr per day 3 3 9 Job rotation used to reduce use to 1 hour during busy periods. Monitoring regime to be implemented to record usage
RMS 7.00 Used daily for 1 to 2 hours during the summer months Brush Cutter RMS 6.96 Action Value reached in 1hr 6 min Limit Value reached in 4hr 23 min 3 3 9 Job rotation used to reduce use to 1 hour during busy periods. Monitoring regime to be implemented to record usage Used for a maximum of 2 hrs at least twice a week for six months of the year At other times used for 10-15 min daily Older Chainsaws highly variable Action Value can be reached in under 9 min Limit Value can be reached in under 30 mins 4 3 12 Job rotation used to reduce use to 1 hour during busy periods. Monitoring regime to be implemented to record usage 4 2 8 (RMS 6 15) Dependent on size of bar and timber being cut Used for a maximum of 4 hrs once a month during the winter months & autumn Generally used between 1 & 2 hrs 3 times a week Individual chainsaws to be assessed and replacement programme to be implemented for older chainsaws who s use regularly use exceeds the Exposure Limit value. HB2300 Name of Assessor(s) Komatsu Leafblower RMS 9.66 Action Value reached in 32 min Limit Value reached in 2 hrs 9 min Used for a maximum of 2 hours once a week during the autumn months. Generally used for approximately 40 mins daily Risk assessor Signed Risk assessor 3 3 9 Department Service Unit Parks Community Services
SECTION 3 3.1 Best Practice Standards List these: 3.2 Vulnerable staff List these: Are there any relevant best practice standards or legal requirements which should be followed for the hazards being assessed? e.g. Council Policies, or guidance (corporate or departmental), legislation, HSE guidance or Approved Codes of Practice, British or European Standards, professional or trade guidance. HSG 0 Vibration Solutions HSPS02 Control of Vibration at Work Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 Are there any staff who may be particularly vulnerable and at risk. If so, a personal risk assessment should be carried out. e.g. young persons (under 18); new and expectant mothers, staff with disabilities or health conditions that might increase risk. Staff with pre-existing medical conditions such as Reynolds syndrome, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnancy, arthritis, back/limb injuries (list not exhaustive): SECTION 4: ACTION PLAN List how the further action required, as identified in Section 2, will be undertaken. Hazard Action required Costs/resources required Target date Action by whom? Completion date 7,,20 Supervisors/line managers to attend a Hand Arm Vibration Awareness training course. Refresher training to be taken every 3 years Ensure that all operatives have individual task based HAV assessments based on typical activities. Assessments are recorded, results have been monitored. Tier 3 HAV health referrals to be arranged with Occupational Health following results of Tier 2 Implementing rolling maintenance programme for high use tools that cause hand arm vibration (HAV) i.e. In house/half day (three supervisors) June 11 Line manager June 11 Line manager June 11 Line manager June 11 Line manager Obtain vibration information for other products when replacing equipment April 11 Line manager
High risk equipment to be colour coded and labelled May 11 Line manager I confirm that this risk assessment is an accurate reflection of the risks and controls in place YES/NO The further action required, as outlined in the Action Plan above, will be achieved by the target dates YES/NO* *Manager s comments (for example if further resources are required etc.) Signed by responsible manager: NAME L Tardy SIGNATURE L Tardy DATE 8 April 2011 REVIEW DATE 8 April 2011
SECTION 5: ASSESSMENT REVIEW RECORD This form can be completed each time the risk assessment is reviewed. It is not necessary to re-write the assessment unless significant changes are made. Date of review Name of reviewer Comments Next review date For guidance on completing this form, please refer to Council Health and Safety Performance Standard HSPS01 Health and Safety Risk Assessment available on the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Document Library, where further copies of this form can also be obtained.