Press releases

Councils lead the way in HAVS Management!

Following the years of frequent and highly publicised personal injury claims, the public sector has addressed the safety of their workers by attempting to manage Hand-Arm Vibration.
The reality that operatives of hand-held power tools are often exposed to high and dangerous levels of vibration prompted councils such as Norfolk County Council, West Lothian and Carmarthenshire to implement HAVmeter system.
The HAVmeter is a portable device, the size and shape of a pager. It displays an accurate reading of the vibration exposure levels acquired by the operative throughout the day. Additionally, the meter provides the HSE points system through a traffic lights display function, flashing amber for EAV and red for ELV. Information on the operative’s exposure levels, tool usage and further data can then be downloaded at the end of the shift, providing successful monitoring of tool maintenance.
Following initial trials, Carmarthenshire Council were one of the first to roll out the system choosing to target both their highway and grounds maintenance divisions. The benefits from the management’s perspective were evident immediately, with the support of the workers swiftly following. An advantage seen across the board was the accessibility and effectiveness of the HAVmeter system to the entire workforce.
Mike Rogers, Head of Policy and Performance for the Council said “The HAVmeter not only empowers the workforce to personally monitor their own exposure levels but also enables managers to take a proactive approach to the management of vibration on a more long term basis. At the half way point, the feedback from everyone involved has been excellent.”
Following the initial order, the Council have allocated further funds to ensure that the benefits of the system can be extended to the remaining workforce. For Carmarthenshire Council, the HAVmeter system further enhances their ability to manage and reduce the level of risks and liabilities allied with the use of vibratory equipment. It has enabled the Council to exercise its duty of care and look forward to a continuation of the high level of safety that has been implemented for their employees.
Norfolk County Council were perhaps one of the most significant parties to pilot the scheme due to their campaign to further protect their workforce and eliminate HAVS claims. They currently use a manual paper - based system to record operatives’ exposure to vibration. After an extremely successful 12 month trial at one depot, the council took the decision to apply the HAVmeter system across the County, which will provide more accurate records of operatives’ exposure levels and saving administrative costs accrued through the paper - based system.
Colin Tibbenham, Project Manager for Implementation at the Council confirmed that “the workforce showed a hugely positive attitude towards the HAVmeter because it’s so easy to use and it’s protecting them at the same time”.
Norfolk’s notable effort to roll out the system across the board prompted them to invest in a PDA system to programme all of their tool tags. They are considering in future only using hire tool companies that apply the HAVmeter system themselves. On target to be ‘live’ by the end of November, employees will be instructed not to use tools without tags.
Another of the early pioneers, West Lothian Council, has experienced an increasingly positive response using the system, primarily in Road Services. Local tool hire companies are supporting West Lothian Council in their attempt to deploy the HAVmeter system across the sector. Andy Johnston, Roads Service Manager for the Council explains, “We use hire companies such as Speedy Hire and Akro Hire who were advised by us to tag all tools before hire otherwise we’re are unable to use them. We are 100% happy with the accuracy of the use of tools through our management reports”.
Highlighted here are just a few of the Councils out of over 40 others who have implemented this system. As the product has proved itself over the last 18 months, the trend is to adopt the system without a trialling period. All of these Councils are showing an admirable determination to ensure the safety of their employees as well as being at the forefront of health and safety management. From internal risk management departments, councils can access to up to 50% of funding, a substantial help towards implementing a new HAV management regime. Risk Management will see robust and accurate results that prevent the risk of future claims.
For more information please contact the PR team on 0131 221 0925 or visit our website at www.reactec.com.