Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Friday, July 18, 2025
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    container

    Allianz: Mis-declared cargo still leads cause of fires

    The end of the supply chain crisis and what we need to learn for the next one(s)

    TT Club: Understanding the risks of abandoned cargo

    ITF abandonment

    ITF: Seafarers’ abandonment surges by 30% in 2025

    UK MAIB Safety Digest 2024, 2nd Edition

    UK MAIB Annual Report 2024: 1,515 reports received

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    tunnel vision

    Tunnel vision: Recognizing the blind spots at sea

    friendship

    Exploring the human need for friendship: A lifeline at sea and on shore

    neck pain

    Neck pain: A growing health concern for maritime workers

    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    imo ballast

    BIO-UV Group: Over 30% of vessels are failing D-2 compliance tests

    Intra-North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area now in effect until 2030

    Intra-North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area now in effect until 2030

    ICS

    ICS: Industry needs clarity and detail on IMO NZF incentives

    ECSA

    ECSA & A4E: Prioritise affordable clean fuels in shipping & aviation

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    digitalization at sea

    Do you know what the NAVDAT system onboard ships is?

    Hong Kong AIS

    Hong Kong issues notice on the updated rules for AIS

    RightShip: Data-sharing and transparency can ensure a stronger culture of safety

    Danelec: Over 70% of ships still rely on once-daily noon reports

    robots shipyards

    Multi-party effort looks into employing robots in shipyards

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    bwms type approval

    PSC Update: Concentrated Inspection Campaign to focus on BWM in 2025

    ClassNK PSC

    ClassNK Annual PSC Report: Fire safety deficiencies top the list

    AMSA fine

    NorthStandard: Tips to avoid pollution fines in Turkey

    OCIMF

    OCIMF Annual Report 2025: SIRE 2.0 a welcome change for the industry

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    hotwork

    Watch: Best practices for gas distribution systems onboard

    digitalization at sea

    Do you know what the NAVDAT system onboard ships is?

    USA sanctions

    United States removes Syria-related sanctions

    eu russia sanctions

    EU has yet to reach agreement over sanctions package on Russia

  • Columns
    Career Paths: Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Maritime Battery Forum

    Career Paths: Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Maritime Battery Forum

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    NorthStandard: Data sharing to drive technology and improve crew wellbeing

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    container

    Allianz: Mis-declared cargo still leads cause of fires

    The end of the supply chain crisis and what we need to learn for the next one(s)

    TT Club: Understanding the risks of abandoned cargo

    ITF abandonment

    ITF: Seafarers’ abandonment surges by 30% in 2025

    UK MAIB Safety Digest 2024, 2nd Edition

    UK MAIB Annual Report 2024: 1,515 reports received

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    tunnel vision

    Tunnel vision: Recognizing the blind spots at sea

    friendship

    Exploring the human need for friendship: A lifeline at sea and on shore

    neck pain

    Neck pain: A growing health concern for maritime workers

    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    imo ballast

    BIO-UV Group: Over 30% of vessels are failing D-2 compliance tests

    Intra-North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area now in effect until 2030

    Intra-North Sea Ballast Water Contingency Area now in effect until 2030

    ICS

    ICS: Industry needs clarity and detail on IMO NZF incentives

    ECSA

    ECSA & A4E: Prioritise affordable clean fuels in shipping & aviation

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    digitalization at sea

    Do you know what the NAVDAT system onboard ships is?

    Hong Kong AIS

    Hong Kong issues notice on the updated rules for AIS

    RightShip: Data-sharing and transparency can ensure a stronger culture of safety

    Danelec: Over 70% of ships still rely on once-daily noon reports

    robots shipyards

    Multi-party effort looks into employing robots in shipyards

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    bwms type approval

    PSC Update: Concentrated Inspection Campaign to focus on BWM in 2025

    ClassNK PSC

    ClassNK Annual PSC Report: Fire safety deficiencies top the list

    AMSA fine

    NorthStandard: Tips to avoid pollution fines in Turkey

    OCIMF

    OCIMF Annual Report 2025: SIRE 2.0 a welcome change for the industry

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    hotwork

    Watch: Best practices for gas distribution systems onboard

    digitalization at sea

    Do you know what the NAVDAT system onboard ships is?

    USA sanctions

    United States removes Syria-related sanctions

    eu russia sanctions

    EU has yet to reach agreement over sanctions package on Russia

  • Columns
    Career Paths: Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Maritime Battery Forum

    Career Paths: Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Maritime Battery Forum

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    NorthStandard: Data sharing to drive technology and improve crew wellbeing

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

Occupational injuries due to vibrating tools or machinery

by The Editorial Team
May 16, 2018
in Maritime Health
stcw convention

Credit: Shutterstock

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is the medical term for symptoms caused by vibration damages that may occur in the fingers, hands and arms due to the use of vibrating tools or machinery. Previously, it was known as ‘vibration white finger’, however the name is changed to HAVS to reflect additional symptoms.

The Hand transmitted vibration affects a range of industries from construction and forestry to mining and maintenance. Shipyard workers are vulnerable to this syndrome due to nature of their work. Also, seafarers are affected considering their frequent and prolonged exposure to power tools such as chipping machine (rust bust), needle guns and hand held grinders during operations.  It is estimated that about 10% of personnel which is regularly and frequently work with such tools, is prone to develop HAVS.

HAVS effects

  • Tingling ‘whiteness’ or numbness in the fingers: In such case, the blood vessels and nerves are affected. As the condition becomes more severe, the whole finger down to the knuckles may become white. Feeling may also be lost.
  • Fingers change colour: In such case blood vessels are affected. The fingers rapidly become pale and feeling is lost. This phase is followed by an intense red flush and is usually accompanied by uncomfortable throbbing.
  • Loss of manual dexterity: In such case nerves and muscles are affected. In more severe forms, attacks may occur frequently in cold weather, not only at work, but during leisure activities and may last up to an hour causing considerable pain.
  • Loss of fingers: In extreme cases, the worker may lose fingers. The effects are cumulative. If exposure to vibration continues over months or years, the symptoms can worsen and may become permanent.

Nerve symptoms

RelatedNews

Lessons learned: Don’t guess with chemicals

Inland vessel and containership allide in the Port of Hamburg

Loss of feeling (numbness) and/or pins and needles (tingling) in one or more fingers are usually the early features. It may be mild and just affect the tips of the finger(s) and come and go. In severe cases a permanent numbness may extend along affected fingers. This may cause clumsiness and difficulty in doing fine tasks.

White Finger Symptom

At first, the fingers go white and cool and they then go a bluish colour. This is due to the oxygen being used up from the reduced blood supply of the narrowed blood vessels. At next stage they go bright red. This is due to the blood vessels opening up again (dilating) and the return of a good blood flow. This may cause tingling, throbbing and pain.

Aches and pains

Minor damage to the muscles, joints and bones may cause aches and pains in the hands and lower arm. The strength of your grip may be weakened.

Precautions against HAVS

As of today, there are limited medical treatments to HAVS, however it can be prevented by taking precautions to protect oneself against high vibration exposure levels. The following steps are suggested to workers who use vibrating tools:

  1. Hold tools as loosely as possible and in varying positions.
  2. Ensure that tools are well maintained.
  3. Use tools correctly and use the right tool for the job. The aim is not to need to use excessive grip, nor to use a tool for longer than necessary.
  4. Take regular breaks of at least 10 minutes away from the tool. Short bursts of work are better than long periods of work without a break.
  5. Keep warm while at work – especially your hands. Use Anti Vibration gloves if possible
  6. Reduce smoking – the chemicals in tobacco can affect blood flow.

Occupational injuries due to vibrating tools or machineryOccupational injuries due to vibrating tools or machinery
Occupational injuries due to vibrating tools or machineryOccupational injuries due to vibrating tools or machinery
Tags: injury onboardmaritime healthsafe working practicesworking conditions
Previous Post

A different approach for ECDIS is needed

Next Post

Statoil officially changes name to Equinor

SUGGESTED FOR YOU

Fire breaks out aboard cargo vessel in the Philippines
Accidents

Fire breaks out aboard cargo vessel in the Philippines

July 10, 2025
Houthis UN
Accidents

Two crew missing after second attack on bulk carrier in Red Sea

July 8, 2025
neck pain
Maritime Health

Neck pain: A growing health concern for maritime workers

June 30, 2025
Foynes Port
Accidents

Explosion aboard oil tanker injures two crewmembers in Ireland

June 26, 2025
Gard claims report
Seafarers

Gard Crew Claims Report 2025: Troubling increase in crew fatalities

June 25, 2025
UK MAIB
Accidents

UK MAIB Investigation: Deckhand loses life aboard beam trawler

June 23, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

No Result
View All Result
MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • SEAFiT
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Contact

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

Manage your privacy
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA