Hand-Arm Vibration
OVER 2,000,000 WORKERS ARE IN DANGER
Slow Progression, Lasting Damage
The symptoms may take years to appear but, once they do, there’s no reversing the effects of vibration on the most valuable tools a worker has. When the damage is done, it’s done.
BEFORE HAVS
-
STAGE 1
Tingling and numbness
STAGE 2
White fingers, reduced dexterity, pain
STAGE 3
Atrophic, ulcerated, possibly gangrenous
what is hand arm vibration syndrome?
Hand-Arm Vibration (HAVS), aka "White Finger", is a permanent medical condition that causes loss of feeling in fingers, hands and arms. Extreme cases can result in loss of parts or complete digits.
WHAT CAUSES HAVS?
Prolonged exposure to vibration in the fingers, hands and forearms from tools and machinery causes the range of conditions collectively known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), as well as specific diseases such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
This debilitating industrial injury develops over time as the repeated vibrations cause nerve damage and puncture arteries in the fingers and hands, limiting blood circulation. Because fingers can turn white due to insufficient blood flow, the condition is also known as vibration white finger.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Early symptoms can include pain, intermittent tingling/numbness in fingers and loss of strength in hands, but can progress to the blanching of fingers (white fingers) which harms dexterity and hand function, and can cause irreversible pain (particularly during cold weather).
Continued use of vibrating tools will only make symptoms worse. Ultimately, skin can become atrophic, ulcerated or even gangrenous.
AM I AT RISK?
You could be at risk if your job requires you to operate sanders, grinders, riveters, jackhammers, drills, chainsaws and other vibrating heavy equipment for an extended period of time. HAVS is a highly personal, delayed onset condition that can sometimes appear years after the vibration hazard has ceased.
Non-work risk factors include predisposition, smoking (which impacts the body’s circulatory system) and exposure to vibration outside the workplace.
IS THERE A CURE?
No—but the earlier the diagnosis, the more likely you are to recover from its symptoms. Once it has advanced, HAVS is irreversible with no effective treatment or cure. Sufferers can take medications to reduce the frequency and severity of blanching attacks, and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain.
Since the symptoms of HAVS are aggravated by cold weather, wearing thermal work gloves to keep hands warm can help.
what makes a good anti-vibration glove?
Finding the right hand protection is one of the best practices recommended by safety experts for reducing long-term damage. Ergodyne's ProFlex® Anti-Vibration Series Gloves address this often overlooked risk with a full line-up of special purpose styles to fit the job at hand, including those third-party tested to meet the requirements of ISO 10819 // ANSI/ISEA S2.73-2014 – the global standard for anti-vibration gloves. What is the anti-vibration standard?
ANSI/ISO standard requires that gloves:
- Be full-fingered
- Have a uninterrupted palm pad from base to fingertips
- Have padding ≤ 8mm thick in the palm and ≥ 0.55 times the palm
- Padding thickness in the fingers and thumb
- Reduce “medium range frequencies” (TM) by ≥ 10% vs. bare hand
- Reduce “high range frequencies” (TH) by ≥ 40% vs. bare hand
Compared with other vibration-reducing materials, Ergodyne's Advanced Vibration Control™ palm padding technology offers greater flexibility to prevent hand fatigue, while also reducing and dampening vibration to ANSI/ISO-certified levels when used as a full-length palm pad.
Vibrating tools are often heavy, and the tasks they tackle can cause repetitive motion strain. Built-in wrist supports with patented Open-Center Stay™ help guard against the double trouble of vibration and strain.
Combat vibration and back-of-hand dangers like flying debris and impact with help of the ANSI/ISO-certified molded TPR armor on the dorsal area.
Vibrating tools require a firm hold, often on handles or other interfaces. Gripping palm materials ensure tools can be handled safely and securely to get the job done right.
Find the right glove for you
Use the slider to see appropriate PPE gloves by vibration exposure
Best for LOW vibrations
When dexterity is a must but light palm impact and vibration protection is also needed, genuine leather and an EVA foam padded palm combine with half-finger tactility for protection that won't get in the way of applications like riveting, grinding, fabrication and deburring.
*Keeping hands warm has been shown to reduce the risk of HAVS
Best for LOW-TO MODERATE vibrations
Enhanced shock, impact and vibration dampening without losing the dexterity you need, thanks to a half-finger design and segmented AVC™ technology palm padding in key areas. Reduce the risk, not your productivity or hand function in heavy construction, riveting, grinding, fabrication and deburring applications.
*Keeping hands warm has been shown to reduce the risk of HAVS
Best for MODERATE vibrations
Full-finger design protects the whole hand while keeping hands warmer, a key contributor in fighting HAVS. Segmented AVC™ technology palm padding is perfect when flexibility can't be sacrificed, but vibration presents a constant and significant risk while working in power tool, heavy construction, riveting, grinding, fabrication and deburring applications.
*Keeping hands warm has been shown to reduce the risk of HAVS
Best for SEVERE vibrations
Many gloves claim anti-vibration, but very few can actually claim (and prove) ANSI/ISO certification. With full-length AVC™ technology palm padding and full-finger design, the ProFlex® 9002 meets those standards, reducing vibration, shock and impact in the toughest applications like jackhammering, cutting tool operation and demolition—all while keeping hands warmer, a key contributor in fighting HAVS.
*Keeping hands warm has been shown to reduce the risk of HAVS
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