scope:

Pre-employment/pre-placement health screening for hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) will be undertaken on all prospective employees who, by the nature of their proposed employment, may be exposed to HAV and on all existing employees transferring to work where they may be exposed to HAV. This screening will assess the fitness of individuals for work with hand held vibrating tools so that their health can be protected.

Health surveillance will be instituted for all employees who:

• are regularly exposed to HAV above the exposure action value of 2.5m/s² A(8), or
• are occasionally exposed above the exposure action value of 2.5m/s2 A(8) and a risk assessment has identified that the frequency and severity of exposure may pose a risk to health, or
• have previously been diagnosed as suffering from HAVS and who continue to be exposed to HAV.

The health surveillance programme will:

• detect HAVS at an early stage so that exposure to vibration can be further reduced or eliminated;
• assist Network Rail in their risk assessment and control strategy for HAV by providing information on the prevalence of the condition amongst employees; and
• give employees advices on personal risks and reinforce the importance of following the prescribed safe systems of work.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe the system of health screening and health surveillance for employees and prospective employees of Network Rail whose health may be at risk due to exposure to hand arm vibration (HAV). This system of health surveillance is in response to the requirements of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. Implementation of it will enable Network Rail to comply with its legal obligations under the regulations and meet its duty of care to those with existing condition.