Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Awareness

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Awareness

Roles & Responsibilities

Understanding Vibration and Its Effects

Control Measures & Hierarchy of Control

Why This Course Is Essential

Knowledge is the key to a safer future!

The Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Awareness Course is an indispensable training programme designed to equip all personnel—workers, supervisors, managers, and safety professionals—with the knowledge and skills to recognise, prevent, and control the risks associated with excessive vibration exposure in the workplace.

Importance of the Course

By exploring the medical, legal and practical facets of HAVS, delegates will appreciate not only the personal health implications of cumulative vibration injury but also the regulatory requirements imposed by the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

Why This HAVS Course is Essential

The course is essential for several reasons:

• Prevent Irreversible Harm
  Exposure to vibrating tools and machinery can lead to progressive, irreversible damage to the nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hands and arms. Early signs—such as tingling, numbness and blanching of the fingers—are often overlooked until permanent injury occurs. This course teaches delegates how to spot these early warning signs and take immediate corrective action.
• Meet Legal Obligations
  Both employers and employees share responsibilities under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. Failure to comply can result in enforcement notices, fines or, in severe cases, prosecution. This training clarifies:
  • The employer’s duty to assess and limit vibration risks
  • The employee’s duty to use vibration-reducing controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly
• Enhance Organisational Health & Safety Culture
  By embedding HAVS awareness at every level—from shop-floor operatives to boardroom decision-makers—companies foster a proactive safety culture, reduce lost-time injuries and lower long-term healthcare costs.

Key Subjects Covered

The course encompasses a wide array of subjects tailored to meet the needs of self employed, small and large companies:

Understanding Vibration and Its Effects
– Physiology of hand-arm vibration injury
– Types of vibration sources (e.g. power tools, hand-held grinders)

Early Warning Signs & Symptoms
– Vascular (white finger/blanching)
– Neurological (tingling, loss of dexterity)
– Musculoskeletal (joint pain, weakness)

Risk Assessment & Measurement
– Use of vibration metres and daily exposure calculations (A(8) value)
– Exposure action and limit values

Control Measures & Hierarchy of Control
– Elimination and substitution strategies
– Engineering controls (isolation mounts, anti-vibration handles)
– Administrative controls (job rotation, rest breaks)
– PPE selection and maintenance

Roles & Responsibilities
– Employer duties: training, health surveillance, record keeping
– Employee duties: correct equipment use and reporting defects

Regulatory Compliance
– Overview of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
– Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Benefits to Companies and Empowering Individuals:

Investing in HAVS training yields substantial benefits for organisations and individuals:

Empowering Learners & Career Advancement:

• Practical Skillsets
  Learners leave with hands-on techniques to measure and reduce vibration exposure, empowering them to advise colleagues and influence safe working practices.
• Certification & Recognition
  On successful completion, delegates receive a certificate that evidences their competence in HAVS awareness—an asset on any CV within sectors such as construction, utilities, forestry and manufacturing.
• Pathway to Further Roles
  Mastery of vibration safety can open doors to roles in health and safety inspection, equipment maintenance specialisms and supervisory positions, underpinning long-term career progression.

Environmental Sustainability: Reducing Carbon Footprint

Safetyman Academy is committed to environmental sustainability, and the HAVS course embodies this commitment by eliminating traditional classroom-based training. By offering the course online, the academy effectively reduces the carbon footprint associated with travel and accommodation for each participant. This approach supports global efforts to combat climate change and ensures that professionals can access high-quality training without the environmental cost of physical attendance.

CO₂ Savings Calculation

• Assumptions:
  • Average delegate round-trip travel: 100 miles by car
  • Emission factor: 0.271 kg CO₂ per vehicle mile
  • One night’s accommodation: 20 kg CO₂ per person
  • Delegates trained per annum: 1,200
• Per-Delegate Savings:
  • Travel: 100 miles × 0.271 kg/mile = 27.1 kg CO₂
  • Accommodation: 20 kg CO₂
  • Total per delegate: 47.1 kg CO₂
• Annual Savings:
  47.1 kg CO₂ × 1 200 delegates ≈ 56 520 kg CO₂ (≈ 56.5 tonnes CO₂)

By learning online with Safetyman Academy, organisations save more than 56 tonnes of CO₂ each year—equivalent to removing over 12 family cars from the road annually.

Inclusivity Through Multilingual Availability

Recognising the diverse linguistic landscape of today’s global workforce, the HAVS course is available in 60 languages. This extensive language support ensures that professionals from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds can engage with the material effectively, promoting inclusivity and equal access to HAVS training. By removing language barriers, Safetyman Academy fosters a more diverse and culturally competent workforce capable of addressing the health and safety needs of a global population.

CPD Credit Hours

This course is accredited for 1 CPD credits.

The HAVS course offered by Safetyman Academy is an essential investment for individuals and organisations striving for excellence and sustainability in the modern workplace. The course fosters a resilient, productive, and harmonious work environment by equipping professionals with the skills to manage their well-being and support others.

Moreover, the environmentally conscious delivery model and multilingual accessibility highlight Safetyman Academy’s dedication to inclusivity and sustainability.

The average time needed to complete the course is 60 minutes, and the minimum passing mark for the exam is 70%. 

Do you know who will benefit from this course?

Everyone! 

The world is changing quickly, and businesses need employees with training, knowledge, and skills to be competitive.

People continually developing their professional skills or pursuing higher education and training are positioning themselves for future career advancement opportunities.

By giving yourself or your employees the knowledge to perform your role safely at work, you will stay safe and go home safely, making the rest and play time in life far more rewarding, whatever you love to do.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, EMPOWER YOURSELF TODAY!