Vibration Exposure and Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS): What Every Canadian OHS Professional Needs to Know

In many industries, vibration is part of the job. Whether it’s a construction worker using a jackhammer, a logger running a chainsaw, or a manufacturing worker operating a grinder, exposure to vibration is often unavoidable. But while it’s easy to overlook, prolonged exposure to vibration—especially through handheld tools—can quietly destroy a worker’s health.

That’s where Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) comes in. HAVS is a serious occupational disease caused by extended exposure to vibrating tools and machinery. And for Canadian Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals, understanding this hazard is crucial—not just to protect workers but to avoid costly liabilities and meet regulatory expectations.

Let’s explore what HAVS is, who’s at risk, and how to manage it—because prevention really is the best (and only) cure.

What is Vibration Exposure and How Does it Harm Workers?

Vibration exposure happens when mechanical energy from tools or equipment transfers into a worker’s hands and arms. Over time, that constant “buzz” can cause irreversible damage.

We typically talk about two kinds of workplace vibration:

• Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV): Felt when using power tools like grinders, sanders, chainsaws, or jackhammers.
• Whole-Body Vibration (WBV): Affects the entire body—common in operators of heavy machinery or vehicles.

This article focuses on HAV, because it’s directly responsible for HAVS, one of the most debilitating—and preventable—occupational diseases in Canada.

What is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)?

HAVS develops slowly, sometimes over years. The constant shaking from vibrating tools damages blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints in the hands and arms. What starts as occasional numbness or tingling eventually turns into white, dead-looking fingers, extreme sensitivity to cold, loss of dexterity, and muscle wasting.

Once the damage is done, it’s permanent. Many workers with HAVS can’t return to their jobs. Even simple tasks—buttoning a shirt or holding a cup—become difficult.

Who is at Risk?

HAVS affects workers in industries that rely heavily on power tools and vibrating equipment:

• Construction: Jackhammers, compactors, drills.
• Forestry: Chainsaws, brush cutters.
• Manufacturing: Grinders, sanders, riveters.
• Utilities & Mining: Rock drills, impact wrenches.

The risk isn’t just which tool you use—it’s how often you use it, for how long, and under what conditions (cold weather increases the risk). The more vibration energy absorbed, the higher the risk.

How do you Measure Vibration Exposure?

Measuring vibration exposure requires more than counting minutes. You need to know:

• How strong the vibration is (measured in m/s²).
• How long workers are exposed.
• Which tools are used and how often.

The ACGIH provides a standard:

• Action Level: 2.5 m/s² over an 8-hour day—control measures should start here.
• Exposure Limit: 5 m/s²—this is the absolute maximum recommended.

Few workplaces measure vibration, but they should. Tool manufacturers often publish vibration ratings, and specialized equipment like accelerometers can give you precise readings.

Health Effects: What Happens When you Ignore the Risk?

At first, HAVS looks harmless. Workers might notice their fingers tingling, maybe some numbness. It feels like they “slept on their hand wrong.” But slowly, the damage worsens:

• Nerve damage: Tingling turns into permanent numbness and loss of grip strength.
• Circulatory damage: “White finger” appears—fingers turn ghostly white and painful in the cold.
• Muscle and joint damage: Dexterity and hand strength decline.

Eventually, even basic tasks—using a phone, writing, gripping a steering wheel—become impossible. And by the time it gets that bad, it’s irreversible.

How can you Prevent HAVS?

This is where OHS professionals make the biggest impact. HAVS is 100% preventable with the right approach. Here’s how:

1. Choose the Right Tools

Lower-vibration tools are worth the investment. Newer models often have built-in dampeners that drastically reduce vibration exposure.

2. Maintain Equipment

Worn-out tools vibrate more. Keep a strict maintenance schedule. A sharp chainsaw blade, for instance, cuts faster and vibrates less.

3. Limit Exposure Time

Job rotation, regular breaks, and task scheduling can minimize how long any one worker is exposed each day.

4. Train Your People

Workers should know the risks, recognize symptoms early, and use proper techniques (like not gripping too tightly) to reduce exposure.

5. Use Anti-Vibration PPE

Gloves can help reduce vibration transmission, though they’re not a standalone solution. They work best as part of a bigger strategy.

6. Monitor and Track Symptoms

Have a system for early reporting and regular health monitoring. Catching symptoms early can stop HAVS before it progresses.

What do Canadian Regulations say About HAVS?

Here’s where things get tricky. Canada doesn’t have one national HAVS standard. Instead, responsibilities fall under general “duty to protect” clauses in most provinces and territories.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the differences: