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Hand-arm vibration : Swedish carpenters' perceptions of health and safety management

Fisk, K. LU orcid ; Nordander, C. LU orcid and Ek, Å. LU (2023) In Occupational Medicine 73(2). p.85-90
Abstract

Background: Workers in the construction industry are highly exposed to vibration from handheld equipment, which can have negative effects on the nerves and blood vessels in the hands. Employers in this industry often fail to comply with legislation regarding vibration exposure. Aims: To assess carpenters' perceptions of proactive health and safety (H&S) management regarding hand-arm vibration exposure at construction sites in Sweden. Methods: The carpenters answered a questionnaire on their perception of the implementation of H&S management, on symptoms indicating injury and on the use of vibrating equipment. Results: One hundred and ninety-four carpenters from 4 construction companies and 18 construction sites completed the... (More)

Background: Workers in the construction industry are highly exposed to vibration from handheld equipment, which can have negative effects on the nerves and blood vessels in the hands. Employers in this industry often fail to comply with legislation regarding vibration exposure. Aims: To assess carpenters' perceptions of proactive health and safety (H&S) management regarding hand-arm vibration exposure at construction sites in Sweden. Methods: The carpenters answered a questionnaire on their perception of the implementation of H&S management, on symptoms indicating injury and on the use of vibrating equipment. Results: One hundred and ninety-four carpenters from 4 construction companies and 18 construction sites completed the questionnaire. Attitudes to H&S management were generally positive. However, 36% of the carpenters reported that the H&S regulations and routines did not function in practice, and 40% claimed they did not receive necessary information on the exposure and effects of vibration. Most respondents (74%) perceived a high risk of injury in general in their work. Younger carpenters, carpenters employed at smaller companies and carpenters with symptoms indicating injury or with higher vibration exposure reported more negative perceptions. Conclusions: In general, the carpenters were positive about management's commitment to H&S management. However, the results indicate deficiencies in the way in which this commitment is applied in practice at the workplace. This highlights the importance of raising awareness concerning vibration exposure and possible injuries, and strengthening proactive H&S programmes, especially in smaller companies.

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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Occupational Medicine
volume
73
issue
2
pages
6 pages
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • scopus:85150396482
  • pmid:36745447
ISSN
0962-7480
DOI
10.1093/occmed/kqad013
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e73823e0-2a96-46c1-95eb-36b78f9db973
date added to LUP
2023-05-04 15:37:56
date last changed
2024-07-13 04:51:09
@article{e73823e0-2a96-46c1-95eb-36b78f9db973,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: Workers in the construction industry are highly exposed to vibration from handheld equipment, which can have negative effects on the nerves and blood vessels in the hands. Employers in this industry often fail to comply with legislation regarding vibration exposure. Aims: To assess carpenters' perceptions of proactive health and safety (H&amp;S) management regarding hand-arm vibration exposure at construction sites in Sweden. Methods: The carpenters answered a questionnaire on their perception of the implementation of H&amp;S management, on symptoms indicating injury and on the use of vibrating equipment. Results: One hundred and ninety-four carpenters from 4 construction companies and 18 construction sites completed the questionnaire. Attitudes to H&amp;S management were generally positive. However, 36% of the carpenters reported that the H&amp;S regulations and routines did not function in practice, and 40% claimed they did not receive necessary information on the exposure and effects of vibration. Most respondents (74%) perceived a high risk of injury in general in their work. Younger carpenters, carpenters employed at smaller companies and carpenters with symptoms indicating injury or with higher vibration exposure reported more negative perceptions. Conclusions: In general, the carpenters were positive about management's commitment to H&amp;S management. However, the results indicate deficiencies in the way in which this commitment is applied in practice at the workplace. This highlights the importance of raising awareness concerning vibration exposure and possible injuries, and strengthening proactive H&amp;S programmes, especially in smaller companies.</p>}},
  author       = {{Fisk, K. and Nordander, C. and Ek, Å.}},
  issn         = {{0962-7480}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{85--90}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{Occupational Medicine}},
  title        = {{Hand-arm vibration : Swedish carpenters' perceptions of health and safety management}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqad013}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/occmed/kqad013}},
  volume       = {{73}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}