In HR, you already carry a long list of responsibilities: wellbeing, absence, recruitment, engagement, legal compliance. Added to that is the challenge of ensuring your teams can safely operate vibrating tools without developing Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. Many HR professionals tell us they only come across HAVS when a problem is escalated. By that point the employee may already have progressed to sensory loss or reduced dexterity. This has consequences not just for safety but for workforce planning, redeployment and long-term sickness management.
The difficulty is that early HAVS symptoms are subtle and employees often under report them. Tingling fingers after a shift. Occasional numbness. Sensitivity to cold. Workers frequently assume it is normal when using high vibration equipment. Without structured surveillance you are unlikely to pick it up early, which is precisely when intervention makes the biggest difference
A proper programme of Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 assessments offer a clear framework for HR teams. It provides evidence of compliance with the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations while giving you reliable clinical insights on who may be at risk. Tier 1 assessments help you understand any pre-existing issues before employment begins. Annual Tier 2 screenings detect changes in the workforce before they become serious. Tier 3 and 4 assessments carried out by HSE Approved Physicians provide the diagnostic certainty needed to make informed decisions on adjustments or redeployment
From an HR perspective, the advantage of partnering with an experienced occupational health provider is that the burden of interpretation is removed. Instead of navigating complex guidance, you receive clear documentation explaining fitness for work, risks, recommended controls and timelines for review. This reduces legal exposure, supports your duty of care obligations and protects organisational productivity.
Investing in HAVS surveillance is not simply about compliance. It is about building a safer, more resilient workforce where employees feel supported, risks are managed proactively, and avoidable injuries do not become long term HR challenges.