HAVSPRO Case Study: ALAR Engineering
ALAR Engineering is a leading subcontract manufacturer of precision sheet metal components, enclosures and electro-mechanical assemblies, based in Cardiff. With such a potentially dangerous workplace, health and safety is always at the forefront of their minds, and it was no different when it came to managing the risk of hand arm vibration.
HAVS Management
For many years, ALAR used a time-consuming manual system for managing the risk of vibration exposure. This allowed them to comply with the guidelines with risk assessments at the heart of the process and daily paper-based record-keeping.
However, following a visit from the HSE, they reviewed their processes and procedures for vibration measuring, monitoring and risk management and concluded that a technology-based system would be more suitable for their business.
With power tools such as grinders and sanders playing a significant role in the daily activity of the business, ALAR wanted to make sure they were doing everything possible to protect both their staff and their business. Vibration over-exposure can lead to incurable and irreversible health issues including HAVS (hand arm vibration syndrome, sometimes referred to as white finger) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. If a company hasn’t taking appropriate actions to manage the risk of vibration exposure, it could be exposed to fines, compensation claims and legal fees.
ALAR implemented a system that measures and monitors vibration levels via an on-tool sensor. This system evolved as the technology became available, and when HAVSPRO came to market in 2022, ALAR were one of the first companies to implement it.
HAVSPRO offers continuous measuring and monitoring of vibration levels, both hand arm and whole body, with an on-tool triaxial accelerometer. As a result, accurate, real-time vibration levels are recorded as the operator is experiencing them, and are sent to the cloud-based reporting system.
Why HAVSPRO?
“We chose to implement the HAVSPRO system because it is easy to implement on the tools and into our business as a whole. Another significant advantage of the HAVSPRO system is that it is so convenient for our operatives to use on a daily basis.
“The sensors are non-intrusive and don’t interfere with the operation of the tool. Users are happy to click their sensors on and off the tools as they use them because it is such a simple thing to do.”
Ian Palmer, Health and Safety Advisor ALAR Engineering
The data captured and processed in the cloud-based HAVSPRO system has given ALAR a view of their business that they didn’t have previously, and it has been a game-changer.
“The alarm system, which informs both the tool operator and the supervisor that the (EAV) limit has been reached and the critical (ELV) limit is approaching, is great for us. Knowing this means we can make managing and reducing vibration exposure a collaborative approach, with the operatives and supervisors working together to reduce exposure to harmful vibration levels.
“We also find accessing the vibration and usage data captured easy to navigate in the dashboard. This data is invaluable to us because it clearly highlights which operators need further training, and in which specific tool operation.
“We also use the reporting system to look more closely at specific tools. We can easily identify which tools have high usage and vibration characteristics which means we can make evidence-based decisions quickly about replacements with similar, less hazardous tools.
“We are continuously looking at the data in the HAVSPRO reports to inform decisions we make and controls we want to put in place. The data is helping us to improve tool usage and maintenance, and how we can continue to make improvements to protect our staff whilst also increasing efficiencies.”
Ian Palmer, Health and Safety Advisor ALAR Engineering
