Millarco 62.090 - Effects of Vibration

Effects of vibration
It is believed that a condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon, which affects the
ngersofcertainindividuals,maybeboughtaboutbyexposuretovibrationand
cold – it may cause tingling and burning sensations, followed by loss of colour
andnumbnessinthengers.
If you continue to use high-vibration tools these symptoms will probably get
worse, for example:
• Thenumbnessinyourhandscouldbecomepermanentandyouwon’tbeable
to feel things at all;
• Youwillhavedifcultypickingupsmallobjectssuchasscrewsornails;
• Thevibrationwhitengercouldhappenmorefrequentlyandaffectmoreof
 yourngers.
Protecting your Body from Vibration
The following precautions are strongly recommended, because the minimum
exposure, which may trigger the ailment is unknown.
1.Alwaysusetherighttoolforeachjob(todothejobmorequicklyandexpose
you to less hand-arm vibration).
2. Check tools before using them to make sure they have been properly
maintained and repaired to avoid increased vibration caused by faults or
general wear.
3.Makesurecuttingtoolsarekeptsharpsothattheyremainefcient.
4. Reduce the amount of time you use a tool in one go, by doing other jobs in
 between.Trytolleachdaywithjobswhereoperatingtheunitorother
hand-held power equipment is not required.
5.Avoidgrippingorforcingatoolorworkpiecemorethanyouhaveto.
6. Store tools so that they do not have very cold handles when next used.
7.Ifyouexperiencediscomfort,redness,swellingofthengersfollowedby
whitening and loss of feeling, consult your physician before further exposing
yourself to cold and vibration.
8. Maintain good blood circulation by:
• Keepingyourbodywarm,especiallythehead,neck,feet,ankles,handsand
wrists.
•Givinguporcuttingdownonsmokingbecausesmokingreducesbloodow
•Performingvigorousarmexercisesduringfrequentworkbreaks.
REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES (RSI)
Itisbelievedthatoverusingthemusclesandtendonsofthengers,arms,hands
and shoulders may cause swelling, soreness, numbness, weakness or extreme
pain in those areas. Certain repetitive hand activities may put you at a high risk
for developing a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI).
AnextremeRSIconditionisCarpelTunnelSyndrome(CTS)whichcanoccurwhen
your wrist swells and squeezes a vital nerve that runs through the area. It is beli-
eved that prolonged exposure to vibration may contribute to CTS. CTS can cause
severe pain for months or even years.