Preventing HAVS: Why Risk Assessments and Health Surveillance Matter More Than Ever

Industries such as utilities, construction, and infrastructure rely heavily on the use of vibrating tools. The physical toll on workers regularly operating such tools can be long-lasting and irreversible. While slips, trips, and machinery accidents might draw immediate attention, one of the most persistent threats to health and safety often gets overlooked: Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

HAVS is a serious and permanent condition caused by exposure to vibration, yet many employers still struggle to manage it effectively. In a recent webinar hosted by Ctrl Hub, HAVS management specialist Robin Wilkes joined Ctrl Hub Managing Director Mark Lisko to share practical insights on what organisations should be doing, why many are still falling short, and how better data and education can change the picture.

This article explores the key messages from that discussion, what a good risk assessment looks like in practice, and how employers can ensure they have the right documentation in place to avoid the significant financial, legal, and human costs associated with HAVS.

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Why HAVS Remains a Silent but Widespread Risk

The most important thing to understand about HAVS is that it’s irreversible once the damage is done. Despite the awareness campaigns and regulatory guidance in place, the scale of the issue remains immense. According to HSE estimates, there are currently around 300,000 HAVS sufferers in the UK, with an estimated two million more at risk.

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"Once the damage is done, it’s permanent." – Mark Lisgo, Managing Director at Ctrl Hub 

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The condition is caused by repeated and frequent use of vibrating equipment like grinders, breakers, strimmers, and drills. Over time, that exposure damages circulation and nerves, leading to symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and eventually, loss of function in the fingers.

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"When someone’s killed at work, it’s tragic and it makes the news. But we’ve got hundreds of thousands of people with a life-altering condition, and that barely registers." – Mark Lisgo, Managing Director at Ctrl Hub 

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For workers, it’s a life-changing diagnosis. For employers, it can result in large compensation claims, reputational harm, and prosecution, particularly where it can be shown that the right steps weren’t taken to prevent it.

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What the Law Requires – and What’s Often Missing

The key piece of legislation governing vibration exposure in the UK is the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. But as Robin Wilkes explained, knowing the regulations and applying them effectively are two very different things.

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"You’ve got to ask what’s actually happening on site. Have you assessed the tools? Measured the exposure? Trained your people? Documented the process? Too often, the answer is no — or it’s ‘sort of’." – Robin Wilkes, Director at Heddon Safety & Environmental Services Ltd

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The law requires employers to carry out a “suitable and sufficient” risk assessment under Regulation 5, and to control exposure wherever possible. That includes rotating workers, maintaining tools properly, using lower-vibration equipment where available, and providing appropriate training and supervision. If workers are likely to exceed the Exposure Action Value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s², or even occasionally exceed the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) of 5 m/s², health surveillance becomes a legal requirement.

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"Most of the cases I get involved with, it’s not that nothing’s been done. It’s that nothing’s been recorded. And if you can’t produce records, then as far as the HSE or an insurer is concerned, it didn’t happen." – Robin Wilkes, Director at Heddon Safety & Environmental Services Ltd

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The Role of Supervision, Tooling, and Culture

Beyond legislation, the webinar highlighted the importance of day-to-day supervision and culture. Even with the right policies in place, it only takes one poor decision on the ground to expose someone to harm, particularly if equipment is damaged or worn.

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"Supervision is key. I’ve seen excellent supervisors who understand the risks and take them seriously. And I’ve seen others who are great at pushing productivity but don’t fully grasp what exposure means. And that’s where problems happen." – Robin Wilkes, Director at Heddon Safety & Environmental Services Ltd

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Standardising equipment across teams was highlighted as a simple but often overlooked strategy. Many companies use a mix of brands and models, which makes it harder to monitor exposure consistently.

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"If everyone’s using the same drill, you’ve only got to do the calculations once. But if every van has a different kit, it gets complicated — and the errors creep in." – Robin Wilkes, Director at Heddon Safety & Environmental Services Ltd

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Training operatives to spot the signs of HAVS was also discussed. Tingling fingers, often dismissed, are an early warning sign that should not be ignored.

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What Good Looks Like – And What It Can Prevent

The most effective way to manage HAVS, the speakers agreed, is through a combination of accurate risk assessments, real-time exposure tracking, and proactive health surveillance.

Robin demonstrated how quickly exposure points can add up. In one example, a common hammer drill exceeded safe usage limits in under 25 minutes.

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"That’s assuming it’s in perfect condition. A blunt bit or a cold day, and it’s much less." – Robin Wilkes, Director at Heddon Safety & Environmental Services Ltd

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Health surveillance plays a vital role in prevention and compliance. External providers typically charge around £55 per person, and while some companies see this as a cost, the speakers were clear — not doing it is far more expensive.

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"If someone develops HAVS and you can’t show that you were checking on their health, it becomes very difficult to defend yourself." – Robin Wilkes, Director at Heddon Safety & Environmental Services Ltd

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Even informal, in-house health checks can help, as long as they’re documented. Asking workers whether they’re experiencing symptoms and keeping a record can support both prevention and claims defence.

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Real-World Consequences of Getting It Wrong

Several recent cases highlight what happens when HAVS is mismanaged. One local authority was fined £60,000 after a worker was diagnosed with HAVS — despite having policies on paper, the necessary steps were never actually implemented. Another organisation received a £140,000 fine for failing to monitor exposure, and a third was fined £200,000 after two workers were diagnosed and no clear management system could be shown.

In each case, a key part of the findings was the lack of documentary evidence that anything was done at all.

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How Ctrl Hub Supports HAVS Compliance

While the webinar focused on guidance and education, Ctrl Hub was mentioned as a tool that can help organisations manage HAVS more effectively.

Ctrl Hub allows businesses to track tool use and exposure per operative, associate vibration magnitude with each item of equipment, and highlight when exposure values are being approached or exceeded. The system also provides reminders for HAVS form submissions, stores surveillance records securely, and makes all documentation instantly accessible.

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"If someone turns up with a claim or you get a letter from a solicitor, the first thing they’ll ask for is your evidence. Being able to pull that up on a screen in seconds — that makes a big difference." – Mark Lisgo, Managing Director at Ctrl Hub

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Final Thoughts: Prevention Starts With Proof

HAVS may not grab headlines, but the damage it causes is lasting for both workers and businesses. Managing the risk isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about being able to show you’ve done it.

By investing in accurate risk assessments, proper supervision, health monitoring, and reliable documentation, organisations can prevent irreversible harm, defend themselves legally, and prove that they’ve taken their duty of care seriously.

If you missed the webinar or would like to explore the tools mentioned, the full session is available on demand.

👉 Watch the full HAVS webinar
📄 Download the HAVS slides
💬 Speak to Ctrl Hub about compliance support