Health Effects from Hand‐Transmitted Vibration

Abstract

Pneumatic tools and rotating tools, such as grinders have been recorded as being used in many countries. Poorly maintained tools are well-established causes of significantly increased transmission of vibrational energy into the hands of workers causing episodic finger blanching, symptoms of numbness and tingling and neurosensory deficit in the hands, and loss of grip strength. Collectively these health problems are termed HAVS and can become significantly disabling in severer cases. The term HAVS began to have widespread coinage as describing the range of vascular, neurosensory, and musculoskeletal problems associated with excessive exposure to HTV. There have been a number of reports that address the possible pathophysiological basis of the elements of HAVS. However, the exact relationship between the dose and either the vascular or neurosensory elements of HAVS has remained unclear as to how much the nature of the exposure data, often relying on retrospective exposure assessment, or the extent of individual susceptibility adds to the uncertainty or noise in any reported relationships. There has been considerable international effort to reduce exposures, especially through better ergonomically designed tools with lower vibration emissions. Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; hand-arm vibration syndrome; Purdue pegboard test; Raynaud's phenomenon; vibration white finger; whole body vibration