Vibrating power tools

The risk of vibration injuries from using power tools exists regardless of whether the tool is powered by electricity, gasoline or air. Workers in the construction, maintenance, mining, forestry, transportation, agriculture, and automotive industries face the dangers of vibration injuries from using power tools.

Uneven terrain, bumpy roads, potholes, and even choppy waves at sea are common contributors to whole-body vibrations. Repeated exposure can hurt spinal discs, and accumulated vibrations can trigger back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. This is a disease that causes some areas of the body, like fingers and toes, to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress, according to the Mayo Clinic.

These areas usually change color into white and then blue. In addition, workers who regularly operate jackhammers and other power tools that produce loud noises are at risk of hearing loss. Here are tips from the U. Also, the use of air ride seats and seat suspension systems can minimize vibrations absorbed by workers operating agricultural, construction and commercial vehicles. For employers, communication is key. Many manufacturers now make these tools because other countries regulate vibration.

The CDC also recommends providing anti-vibration gloves that meet the standards of the International Organization for Standardization for use with these tools. In addition to providing safer work materials like tools and gloves, the following safety measures can also help prevent HAVS:.

The symptoms of HAVS in the workplace have been recognized for many decades , yet these health problems often go underreported. Employers should educate workers who use vibrating tools about the symptoms and risks associated with HAVS and encourage them to seek medical treatment.

Doing so could ultimately result in less time away from work in the future. Did you know non-powered hand tools like hammers can also cause a significant amount of vibration?

Learn more about selecting safe hand tools in this blog post about ergonomics. Skip to content. Table of Contents. More Stories. Visual Workplace Workplace Safety. We looked at whether it was easy to mount and dismount blades and accessories, and how comfortable the tools are to use, particularly in tough cuts that can be tiring, such as into the nail-embedded wood.

Likes: This is clearly a pro-duty tool, and the price reflects it. The Fein does more work per amp—and does it more smoothly—than any other tool in this category. It cuts and sands with almost no vibration, and accessories snap on and off in seconds. Likes: We tested the predecessor to this tool the MM45 and were impressed with its power and its value. We expect good things of the MM50, which has two key improvements. It features a slightly shorter nose measured from a blade to the top of the housing and a new angled motor-body configuration.

The offset allows better access when flush cutting a door trim and jamb when you install flooring or when you need to cut into a tight corner. Otherwise, the tool has the same great five-amp motor of the previous tool, and it comes with 30 accessories, such as a variety of blades, sandpaper, and mounting pads. Likes: This powerful saw excelled in long cuts, drop cuts, and the embedded-nail test. It sands as well as a dedicated sander, and the snap-on accessories are, well, a snap to use.

Dislikes: Expensive. The included saw blades are longer and work most effectively on long straight cuts, though they are more difficult to control than the blades that come with the other tools.

We also liked its dial speed control numbered 1 through 12 , which is extremely precise. That extra level of precision could be a help to somebody like a kitchen cabinet installer or a cabinetmaker, say. Note that we show it above equipped with a battery. The Amazon link and price is for the bare tool. Likes: The low price makes this a fine choice if you need a tool to handle one specific project, such as thin-plank flooring, followed by sporadic use.

Dislikes: It struggled in the embedded-nail test and more demanding applications, like making plunge cuts in plywood.