NR NR/L2/OHS/00113 ISSUE 5 PDF

This standard describes the process of health surveillance for employees and prospective employees of Network Rail whose health could be at risk due to exposure to HAV.

All prospective employees who, by the nature of their proposed employment, could be exposed to hand-arm vibration (HAV) and all existing employees transferring to work where they might be exposed to HAV may need to undergo health surveillance for hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This assesses the fitness of individuals for work with hand-held vibrating tools and allows for early identification of potential work-related health conditions, enabling the organisation to identify where workplace control measures might not be adequately implemented to control risk.

The health surveillance process is designed to:

a. establish the baseline health status of an employee (or prospective employee), regardless of exposure to HAV;

b. detect HAVS at an early stage so that exposure to vibration can be further reduced or eliminated;

c. advise employees on personal risks and reinforce the importance of following the prescribed safe systems of work;

d. confirm employees (or prospective employees) do not suffer from any condition which might increase susceptibility if their work has potential for exposure to vibration; and

e. assist Network Rail in its compliance with statutory regulations and in the assessment and control strategy for vibration hazards by providing data on the prevalence of HAVS and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

NOTE: Network Rail expects contractors to have equivalent, or better, arrangements in place.

Purpose

The implementation of this standard will help to mitigate the risk of hand-arm vibration (HAV) to employees who use hand-held vibrating tools in the workplace.

This standard complies with the requirements of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (‘the Regulations’) Implementation of the process will enable Network Rail to comply with its legal obligations under the Regulations.