I f you frequently operate vibrating equipment and tools, you might sometimes experience pins and needles, tingling, or numbness in your fingers. Or you could suffer from the loss of finger sensation and dexterity. Even worse, you might occasionally wake up at night with your hands and fingers in extreme pain. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you could be suffering from the early warning signs of hand- arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), a crippling physical affliction that can lead to even more severe conditions such as white finger attacks, permanent numbness and the complete loss of hand functioning. Permanent condition One of the worst things about HAVS is that it’s incurable. Once you develop the condition, surgery won’t repair the damage and there are very few treatment options. That’s why you want to take steps now to reduce the chances you’ll contract this debilitating condition. Remember: HAVS is caused by prolonged, repetitive trauma from high- frequency vibration during the operation of handheld power tools such as hammer drills, breakers, sanders, grinders and impact wrenches; hand-guided equipment such as floor sanders and compactor plates; and hand-fed machinery such as circular saws and pedestal grinders. (Why are vibrating-tool users at risk for HAVS?) When you operate vibrating machinery, your fingers, hands and arms absorb the vibration, which can cause minor repeated injuries to tiny nerves and capillaries. Over time, this can result in permanent, irreversible damage. Nonvibratory tools You can lower the chances of developing HAVS by substituting nonvibratory equipment and tools whenever you can. Of course that’s not always feasible, so try to at least reduce the amount of vibration that passes to your body by setting up jigs, guides, or rigs to hold vibrating equipment and cut down on the amount of vibration that reaches your hands. Damaged tools Always confirm that vibrating equipment isn’t damaged before you use it, and don’t work with tools that vibrate more than they should – broken devices should be taken out of service right away. When you’re operating vibrating tools, take short, frequent breaks. Figure about 15 minutes for every hour of intense work with a vibrating machine. During the break, shake out your hands for relief. Also try to rotate between tasks that expose you to vibration and those that don’t. And let the tool do the work. Grip the device as lightly as possible while still maintaining control. The tighter the tool is held, the higher the amount of vibration that’s transmitted to your hands. Thanks for your attention. And remember, let’s stay safe out there! Subject: Hand trucks You might think that hand trucks are such simple devices that they can’t possibly cause an injury. In reality, however, hand trucks can be quite dangerous, and the improper use of them can lead to caught-in injuries to the fingers and hands; crushed-by injuries to the toes and feet; slips, trips and falls; and over-exertion injuries. What to focus on Here are four things to keep in mind in order to avoid injuries while using hand trucks. 1. Walk the path of travel. Before loading the truck, walk the planned path of travel. Remove obstacles, check for wet or uneven surfaces, and make sure there’s adequate clearance to safely navigate aisles and doorways. 2. Inspect the truck. Look for damaged wheels, cracked frames, loose handles and faulty straps. Never use a hand truck that’s damaged. 3. Load the truck safely. Don’t exceed the rated load capacity. Place heavier items on the bottom of the stack, and never position items so high that you can’t see over them. 4. Use safe operating practices. Whenever possible, push the truck instead of pulling it. Allow the truck to carry the weight so you only have to push and steer. Today’s safety meeting ✔ Topic: Hand-arm vibration syndrome ✔ Today’s Date: __________________ ✔ Attendee Signatures: Tailgate talk Supervisor’s safety toolbox SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS 4 Safety Alert for Supervisors February 23, 2026