Toolbox Talks · Mandatory · Construction

Toolbox Talk — Hand-Arm Vibration (HAVS)

A dedicated HAVS toolbox talk supplementing the general noise and vibration talk (H14). HAVS is permanent and irreversible. Covers high-risk tools (breakers, angle grinders, hammer drills), EAV/ELV exposure points system, trigger time management, job rotation, symptom recognition (tingling, white finger, grip loss), and immediate reporting obligations. Anti-vibration gloves have limited effectiveness and must not be the primary control.

Last reviewed: 2 April 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 / CDM 2015 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 2 April 2026. Next scheduled review: 2 April 2027.

1. The Damage You Cannot Undo

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is permanent. Once the damage is done, it cannot be undone. Vibration white finger — where the fingertips turn white and numb in cold weather — stays with a worker for the rest of their life. There is no surgery, no medication, and no rehabilitation that reverses it. Workers may lose grip strength to the point where they can no longer hold tools, fasten buttons, or continue working in their trade.

HAVS does not respond to rest or treatment. The nerve damage and blood vessel damage caused by prolonged vibration exposure is cumulative and irreversible. The only way to prevent HAVS is to manage exposure before symptoms develop. Once a worker has symptoms, the damage is already done — the best that can be achieved is preventing further progression by eliminating or drastically reducing exposure.

Trigger time management costs nothing. Job rotation — moving workers between vibrating and non-vibrating tasks throughout the shift — is the single most effective control measure. It does not require expensive equipment or specialist knowledge. It requires planning, awareness, and a commitment to protecting the long-term health of every worker on site.

If your fingers tingle or go white — tell the site manager today

Do not wait until the next health check. Early symptoms — tingling, numbness, or white fingertips in cold weather — are warning signs that damage is occurring. If action is taken at this stage (reducing exposure, changing tools, rotating tasks), progression to permanent disability can be stopped. Workers often don't report because they don't recognise the symptoms as work-related, don't want to appear weak, or don't know who to tell. Every worker must know: reporting early protects your hands, your livelihood, and your future.

2. Discussion Points and Record

The following discussion points must be covered during the toolbox talk. Each point should be discussed with reference to the specific tools, tasks, and exposure durations relevant to this site. Workers must understand what HAVS is, how it develops, and what controls are in place to protect them.

Discussion point	What to cover
What is HAVS?	Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a group of conditions caused by regular and prolonged use of vibrating hand-held tools. It affects the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints of the hands, fingers, and arms. The condition develops gradually over months or years of exposure and is governed by the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. The Exposure Action Value (EAV) is 2.5 m/s² A(8) and the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) is 5 m/s² A(8).
What happens to your body?	HAVS causes four main types of damage: vibration white finger (VWF) — episodes where fingertips turn white, go numb, and become painful as blood flow is restricted; nerve damage — permanent tingling, numbness, and reduced sensation in the fingers; carpal tunnel syndrome — compression of the median nerve at the wrist causing pain, weakness, and numbness; and grip loss — progressive weakening of grip strength that can make it impossible to hold tools, fasten buttons, or pick up small objects. All of these conditions are permanent and progressive.
Which tools on this site create HAV risk?	Identify the specific vibrating tools in use on this site: breakers, hammer drills, angle grinders, disc cutters, reciprocating saws, vibrating plate compactors, needle scalers, impact wrenches, chainsaws, and any other hand-held power tools that transmit vibration. Discuss the vibration magnitude of each tool (available from the manufacturer's data or the HSE vibration database) and the maximum trigger time allowed per shift.
How long can you use these tools?	The maximum daily trigger time depends on the vibration magnitude of the tool. Use the HSE vibration exposure calculator (ready reckoner) to determine limits. For example, a tool producing 12 m/s² reaches the EAV after approximately 30 minutes and the ELV after approximately 2 hours. Workers must know their trigger time limits and must stop using vibrating tools when the limit is reached. Trigger times must be displayed on site and communicated to every worker who uses vibrating tools.
What controls are in place?	Discuss the specific controls in place on this site: reduced trigger time through job rotation (alternating between vibrating and non-vibrating tasks); selection of low-vibration tools where available; proper tool maintenance (worn, damaged, or poorly maintained tools vibrate more); warm-up exercises and keeping hands warm (cold hands are more susceptible to vibration damage); and regular breaks during vibrating tool use.
Health checks	Health surveillance is required for all workers regularly exposed above the EAV of 2.5 m/s² A(8). Surveillance follows a tiered approach: Tier 1 screening questionnaire, Tier 2 detailed assessment by occupational health, and Tiers 3–5 clinical examination by a physician. Baseline assessment must be carried out before or shortly after a worker starts vibration-exposed work. Regular follow-up is required. Health surveillance records must be kept for at least 40 years.
Report these symptoms	Report any of the following symptoms immediately: tingling or numbness in the fingers (especially after using vibrating tools); fingertips turning white or blue, particularly in cold weather; loss of grip strength or difficulty holding objects; pain in the hands, wrists, or arms after tool use; or difficulty feeling small objects or performing fine tasks. Do not wait for the next scheduled health check — report symptoms as soon as they occur.
Your rights	Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, every worker has the right to: be informed about the risks of hand-arm vibration; have their exposure assessed and controlled; receive health surveillance if regularly exposed above the EAV; be provided with suitable low-vibration tools and equipment; have exposure reduced immediately if health surveillance shows signs of HAVS; and not be penalised for reporting symptoms. These are legal obligations on your employer, not optional benefits.
Attendance record	All workers attending this toolbox talk must sign the attendance record. The record must include the date, topic, presenter name, and signatures of all attendees. This record provides evidence that workers have been informed about HAVS hazards and the controls in place on this site. Retain attendance records as part of the site health and safety file.

3. Common Mistakes

Relying on anti-vibration gloves as the primary HAVS control

Anti-vibration gloves have limited and variable effectiveness. Some gloves conforming to EN ISO 10819 may reduce high-frequency vibration but can actually increase exposure to certain low-frequency vibration ranges — the very frequencies that cause the most damage. The HSE is cautious about their effectiveness and does not consider them a reliable primary control. The primary controls for HAVS are: reduced trigger time through job rotation, selection of low-vibration tools, proper tool maintenance, and task planning to minimise vibration exposure. Anti-vibration gloves may form part of a broader control package but must never be the main or only measure relied upon.

Not delivering a HAVS briefing to sub-contractors who use vibrating tools

Regulation 8 of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (COVWR) requires that all workers exposed to hand-arm vibration are provided with suitable and sufficient information, instruction, and training. This obligation extends to sub-contractors working on your site, even if they supply their own tools. A sub-contractor using their own breaker or angle grinder on your site is still exposed to hand-arm vibration on your site. You must ensure they have received a HAVS briefing, understand the trigger time limits, and know how to report symptoms. Their exposure on your site forms part of their total daily exposure and must be managed accordingly.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Are anti-vibration gloves worth using?▾

Anti-vibration gloves conforming to EN ISO 10819 can provide a limited reduction of high-frequency vibration, but they may not reduce the frequency range that causes most HAVS damage. The HSE is cautious about their effectiveness and advises that they should not be relied upon as a primary control. Some studies suggest that certain anti-vibration gloves can actually increase the transmission of low-frequency vibration to the hands. Gloves can be part of a broader control package — particularly for keeping hands warm, which reduces susceptibility to vibration damage — but they must never substitute for reduced trigger time, job rotation, low-vibration tool selection, and proper tool maintenance. These engineering and organisational controls remain the primary and most effective means of preventing HAVS.

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