HSE researches HAV on cordless tools
8 November 2022
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a report into the hand-arm vibration (HAV) and noise emissions of battery powered tools compared with equivalent traditionally powered models.
The report (RR1182) describes how research was undertaken with ‘in-use’ tests on a representative selection of tools including chainsaws, cut-off saws, combi drills, reciprocating saws, impact drivers/wrenches and angle grinders.
For each machine type, the researchers approached one major manufacturer and worked with them to identify suitable machines of battery and other power sources for comparative testing.
The HSE researchers found that the noise and vibration emissions of battery-powered tools can be higher or lower than those of traditionally powered equivalents.
The sample battery-powered chainsaws, reciprocating saws and metal drills consistently produced lower ‘in-use’ noise and vibration than the sample equivalent petrol or mains-powered machines.
For all other machine comparisons, there were factors other than the power source which could dominate differences in noise and vibration emissions, the HSE states, adding: “There was no assured reduction in noise or vibration from choosing battery-powered over traditionally-powered machines. That is, the battery-powered tools may be lower noise or vibration for some activities undertaken but the traditionally-powered tools could be lower emission for other activities.”
Similarly, the choice of consumable (wheel or drill bit) used can have a greater influence on emissions than the power source, it states.
The HSE suggests that duty holders should identify tools capable of doing the job efficiently; and then consider emission data to avoid tools that have unusually high noise or vibration emissions. They should consider noise and vibration emission data corroborated from more than one source and choose lower vibration models if they are suitable.
Under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, include manufacturers are required to provide emission data in the tool instructions when a declaration threshold is reached: 70dB for noise and 2.5m/s² for HAV.
As always, site managers and specifiers should seek reliable data from trusted manufacturers, and assess the optimum solution for the specific task.
Indeed, the report concludes: “This research has shown that selection of battery-powered tools need to be approached in the same way that HSE recommends for all other power tools. First, find the machine that most effectively does the required job, and then consider the declared noise and vibration emissions. Purchasers can avoid high noise or vibration models where lower noise or lower vibration models are suitable for the job. The remaining noise and vibration risk needs to be managed.”
Read the report on the HSE website here.
Photo: Ksenia Chernaya
