Edwards, D J and Holt, G D (2005) Exposure to hand-arm vibration: Implications of new statutory requirements. Building Research & Information, 33(3), pp. 257-266. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
One particular source of vibration exposure for manual workers results from using hand-held power tools. This is generally termed exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV). Potential negative health effects from HAV were identified at the turn of the 20th century and have become more scientifically understood since then. Due to the nature of its activities, the construction industry is one industry sector representing significant HAV exposure risk. As of July 2005, the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (CVWR) incorporate HAV into the UK workplace health and safety statute. Implications of the CVWR upon the construction sector are explored, particularly in the context of how construction activities may be affected by the new HAV exposure action and limit values. The paper also demonstrates potential 'problems' of considering (equipment) manufacturers' vibration data with those resulting from measurement of equipment at the workplace. It is concluded that due to limits on operator exposure times to higher vibration tools, the UK construction sector must ultimately come to terms with what will effectively represent an influential change in many of its on-site working practices.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction working practices; exposure times; hand-arm vibration; health and safety legislation; plant and equipment; statutory duty; vibration data |
| Index terms: | statute, regulation, construction industry, exposure, construction sector, vibration, plant and equipment, duty, legislation, manufacturer, industry sector, health and safety, construction activity, working practice |
| Subjects: | practitioner, mechanical systems, contractual role, legal systems, construction operations, health safety and environment, public and environmental health, manufacturing engineering, management, political science, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Contract Administration, Organizational Design, Site Management, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Governance |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here