OBR Construction — Mandatory Health & Safety Module
~25 minDuration
10Questions
75%Pass Mark
12 MonthsCertificate Validity
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! Why This Training Matters
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a serious and permanent industrial disease caused by regular use of vibrating tools and equipment. It affects the nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and joints of the hands and arms. Once the damage is done, it cannot be reversed.
Construction workers are among the highest-risk groups in the UK. Around 2 million workers are exposed to hand-arm vibration at work, and tens of thousands have already developed HAVS. The good news is that it is entirely preventable with proper controls and awareness.
Note: OBR Construction uses the HAVS Exposure Record app on the check sheets portal to track daily vibration exposure. This training covers the knowledge behind why that record matters.
1 What Is Hand-Arm Vibration?
Hand-arm vibration is vibration transmitted into the hands and arms during the use of hand-held or hand-guided power tools and machinery. It is measured in metres per second squared (m/s²) and expressed as an A(8) value — the equivalent vibration exposure averaged over an 8-hour working day.
Common tools that generate hand-arm vibration on OBR sites:
High Vibration Risk
Breakers and demolition hammers
Compactors and wacker plates
Concrete pokers / vibrating screeds
Scabbling hammers
Chipping hammers
Moderate Vibration Risk
Angle grinders
Disc cutters
Reciprocating saws
Hammer drills and SDS drills
Needle scalers
Key point: The vibration risk depends on both the vibration level of the tool AND how long it is used. A high-vibration tool used briefly may be safer than a moderate-vibration tool used all day. Both factors must be considered together.
2 Health Effects of HAVS
HAVS affects three main systems in the hands and arms. Symptoms often begin gradually and may seem minor at first, but they worsen with continued exposure and eventually become permanent.
1
Vascular Effects — Vibration White Finger (VWF)Damage to blood vessels causes fingers to turn white (blanch) in cold or wet conditions, then become red and painful as circulation returns. In severe cases, fingers may stay white even in warm conditions. Can lead to permanent loss of blood flow.
2
Neurological EffectsDamage to nerves causes tingling, numbness, and loss of sensation in the fingers and hands. Workers may find it difficult to feel objects, do up buttons, or carry out precision tasks. This is often the first symptom to develop.
3
Musculoskeletal EffectsDamage to muscles, tendons, and joints causes weakness in the hands and wrists, reduced grip strength, and pain in the arms. Can make it difficult to carry out normal work activities.
HAVS is permanent and progressive. There is no cure. Symptoms worsen with continued vibration exposure. If caught early and exposure is stopped or reduced, further progression can be halted — but existing damage cannot be reversed. Early reporting is critical.
Early symptoms to watch for and report immediately:
Tingling or numbness in the fingers — especially after using vibrating tools
Fingers turning white or pale in cold conditions
Loss of grip strength or dexterity
Pain or aching in the hands, wrists, or arms after work
3 Legal Requirements
Hand-arm vibration at work is regulated by the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. These regulations place specific duties on employers and set legally binding exposure action and limit values.
Exposure Action Value (EAV) — 2.5 m/s² A(8)
At or above this level, employers must take action to reduce vibration exposure. This includes carrying out a risk assessment, introducing controls, providing health surveillance, and training workers.
Exposure Limit Value (ELV) — 5.0 m/s² A(8)
This is the maximum daily vibration exposure that must never be exceeded. If the ELV is reached, work must stop. The ELV takes into account the vibration level and the duration of use.
Employer duties under the regulations:
Assess and identify workers at risk
Introduce controls to eliminate or reduce exposure
Provide health surveillance for workers regularly exposed above the EAV
Train workers on the risks and controls
Keep records of exposure and health surveillance
Worker duties: You must cooperate with health surveillance, report symptoms immediately, use vibrating tools correctly, and record your daily vibration exposure using the OBR HAVS app.
4 Controlling Vibration Exposure
The hierarchy of controls applies to vibration just as it does to other workplace hazards. Controls must be applied in order of priority — elimination first, PPE last.
1. Eliminate — Can the task be done without vibrating tools? Remote-controlled plant, hydraulic attachments, or alternative processes.
2. Substitute — Use a lower-vibration tool or method. Modern anti-vibration tools can be significantly less harmful than older equipment.
3. Engineering Controls — Use anti-vibration tool mounts, maintain tools in good condition (blunt or worn tools vibrate more), and ensure correct tool selection for the task.
4. Administrative Controls — Limit trigger time through job rotation, regular breaks away from vibrating tools, planning work to spread exposure across the workforce.
5. PPE — Anti-vibration gloves provide limited protection and must not be relied upon as the primary control. Keep hands warm — cold increases susceptibility to vibration damage.
Anti-vibration gloves: Anti-vibration gloves can only reduce certain frequencies of vibration. They do not provide protection against all vibration types and must never be used as a substitute for other controls. Always use them alongside, not instead of, other measures.
5 Trigger Time and the OBR HAVS App
Trigger time is the actual time a vibrating tool is in use and transmitting vibration to the hands — not the total time you are near the tool. Calculating trigger time accurately is essential for managing exposure.
How trigger time is estimated:
For continuous tasks (e.g. grinding), trigger time is close to the total task duration
For intermittent tasks (e.g. drilling holes), only count the time the tool is actually running under load
Rest breaks, moving between locations, and setting up do not count as trigger time
OBR HAVS Exposure Record App: OBR Construction uses a dedicated HAVS app on the check sheets portal to record daily vibration exposure. For each tool used during the day, you enter the tool type and trigger time. The app automatically calculates your A(8) daily exposure value and shows whether you are below the EAV, between the EAV and ELV, or approaching the ELV. This record must be completed every day that vibrating tools are used.
Practical tips to keep exposure low:
Use the right tool for the job — oversized tools vibrate more and take longer
Keep tools sharp and well-maintained — worn or blunt tools require more force and vibrate more
Use a light but firm grip — gripping too tightly increases vibration transmission
Take regular breaks from vibrating tools — short frequent breaks are more effective than one long break
Keep warm and dry — cold and wet conditions increase the risk of vibration damage
Do not smoke — smoking reduces blood flow to the hands and increases HAVS risk
6 Key Summary
DO
Record daily vibration exposure on the OBR HAVS app
Take regular breaks from vibrating tools
Keep tools well maintained and sharp
Use a light but firm grip
Keep hands warm and dry
Report any tingling, numbness, or whitening of fingers immediately
Attend health surveillance appointments
DON'T
Exceed the daily Exposure Limit Value of 5.0 m/s² A(8)
Ignore early symptoms — HAVS is irreversible if left untreated
Rely on anti-vibration gloves as the only control
Grip tools harder than necessary
Smoke — it reduces blood flow and increases risk
Use worn or poorly maintained vibrating tools
Work through symptoms — stop and report
Remember: HAVS is permanent. The damage builds up silently over time. Recording your exposure every day and reporting symptoms early are the two most important things you can do to protect yourself.
Certificate Validity: This HAVS Awareness certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
? Knowledge Assessment
Answer all 10 questions. You must score 75% or above (8/10) to pass and receive your certificate.
Question 1 of 10
What does HAVS stand for?
Question 2 of 10
Which statement about HAVS is correct?
Question 3 of 10
What is the Exposure Action Value (EAV) for hand-arm vibration under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005?
Question 4 of 10
What is the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) for hand-arm vibration — the level that must never be exceeded?
Question 5 of 10
Which of the following is an early symptom of HAVS that should be reported immediately?
Question 6 of 10
What is "trigger time"?
Question 7 of 10
Why do worn or blunt vibrating tools increase HAVS risk?
Question 8 of 10
Why does cold weather increase the risk of HAVS damage?
Question 9 of 10
Anti-vibration gloves should be used:
Question 10 of 10
What must OBR Construction workers do every day that vibrating tools are used?
Certificate of Completion
HAVS Awareness
This is to certify that
HAVS Awareness Training
Has successfully completed the OBR Construction HAVS Awareness online training module in accordance with the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and HSE guidance on hand-arm vibration in the construction industry.
