Review and clarification of HAV policy, processes and procedures for safe use at Bristol and Crewe depots.

barton hill bristol arriva traincare depot

© Geof Sheppard/Wikimedia Commons

Staff at Bristol and Crewe Arriva TrainCare (ATC) depots aren’t aware of a HAV policy, risk assessment, or vibrating tools procedure for safe use, said a reporter to CIRAS.

They said there is no training on the tools, their use is not monitored, and no medicals for staff at risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). The tools are old and not maintained, so may vibrate more than modern ones.

ATC said it was already reviewing processes and documents relating to HAV exposure and had updated and briefed out the risk assessment. It had briefed on HAV exposure management to employees who use tools at the same time, asking them to complete a tool amnesty, the HAVS initial screening questionnaire, and to use the HAV exposure calculator. ATC is drafting a HAV exposure procedure while a new initial testing supplier is appointed.

ATC teams have inspected tools at all locations. They have removed any with a vibration value above the acceptable limit, which are old, or which have no manufacturer data – and replaced them where possible. ATC said damaged tools should be repaired or removed, and old tools quarantined, with line managers providing new tools (the tool amnesty).

Staff who use vibrating tools are now receiving specific training.

ATC is reviewing the annual staff HAVS questionnaires and will refer anyone at risk to an occupational health provider.

View the full report

Find out more

Raise a concern

Case studies