If employees in your organisation use vibrating tools, machinery or equipment, regular HAVS health surveillance can help identify early signs of vibration-related ill health and support safer working practices.
Clarity provides Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome, or HAVS, surveillance for employers across the UK. Whether you are responding to a vibration risk assessment, reviewing existing arrangements or setting up a programme for the first time, we can help you understand what is appropriate for your workforce.
HAVS surveillance is a structured programme of health checks for employees exposed to hand-transmitted vibration. It is designed to identify early signs of damage affecting the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and joints in the hands and arms.
This may include symptoms such as tingling, numbness, reduced grip strength, finger blanching or “vibration white finger.” Identifying concerns early gives employers an opportunity to review exposure, controls and work practices, and helps affected employees access appropriate follow-up support.
HAVS surveillance works alongside your vibration risk assessment and exposure-control measures. It does not replace the need to reduce vibration at source, select appropriate equipment, maintain tools or manage exposure time.
We design HAVS programmes using established HSE templates, then tailor how they are applied to your actual vibration exposure and tool use rather than treating every role the same. Surveillance is aligned with your risk assessments and HSE guidance so workers are monitored at appropriate intervals based on their level of exposure.
We deliver HAVS surveillance on‑site, through our national fleet of mobile medical units, and via our wider clinic network where needed. That flexibility helps minimise downtime, travel and disruption while maintaining coverage for exposed workers across multiple sites.
We provide clear HAVS outcomes and recommendations you can act on – from adjustments and restrictions to further clinical review – with documentation that stands up to internal audits and external scrutiny.
HAVS testing can be integrated with your wider health surveillance programme, including noise, respiratory surveillance, skin checks and safety‑critical medicals, giving you a more coherent, cost‑effective approach to managing workplace health risks.
HAVS surveillance is typically required where risk assessments show that workers are exposed to hand‑arm vibration at or above levels that could cause harm, despite control measures.
Suitable health surveillance should be provided for employees who:
Are likely to be regularly exposed above the Exposure Action Value.
May occasionally exceed the Exposure Action Value where the risk assessment identifies a risk to health.
Have an existing diagnosis of HAVS or another factor that puts them at particular risk, even where exposure is below the action value.
This commonly includes employees who use powered hand tools or vibrating equipment, such as grinders, breakers, drills, impact wrenches, chainsaws, compactors and hand-guided machinery.
Relevant sectors may include construction, engineering, utilities, manufacturing, maintenance, highways, rail, landscaping, forestry and facilities management.
A HAVS surveillance programme usually follows a tiered approach, often including:
Baseline questionnaires – Capturing relevant exposure history, symptoms and health information when someone starts vibration-exposed work or joins the programme.
Clinical assessment – More detailed assessment of the hands and arms where symptoms, concerns or higher-risk findings are identified.
Staging and classification – Where appropriate, assessing the severity and nature of symptoms to inform management decisions and clinical follow-up.
Further investigation or referral – Arranging additional assessment where clinically indicated.
Our clinicians guide employees through the process, explain what to expect and keep their health information confidential. Employers receive the outcome information and practical recommendations needed to manage workplace action appropriately.
Following HAVS assessments, Clarity provides:
A clear HAVS outcome (including stage, where applicable)
Advice on exposure control, restrictions or adjustments
Recommendations for further investigation or specialist referral where needed
Aggregate information to help you understand trends and refine your vibration‑control strategy
This gives you a robust, defensible position on how you identify and manage hand‑arm vibration risk, and a practical basis for protecting your people over the long term.
HAVS can be a complex area for employers, particularly where different teams use different tools, work across multiple locations or have varied levels of exposure. Our role is to make the process clearer and more manageable.
We listen first — We take time to understand your tools, exposure data, workforce roles and operational priorities.
We provide clear guidance — We help you understand what may be appropriate for your programme without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
We tailor delivery — We use on-site, mobile and clinic-based options to make assessment attendance manageable.
We communicate clearly — We keep planning, outcomes and reporting straightforward, so you know what may need action.
We work alongside your team — We collaborate with health and safety, HR, line managers and employees to make programmes achievable in practice.
Whether you are putting a new HAVS programme in place, reviewing your current provider or responding to a change in workplace exposure, Clarity can help.
We will take time to understand your workforce, tools, vibration risks, locations and working arrangements, then help you put in place a programme that is practical, proportionate and designed around your organisation.
HAVS health surveillance is an ongoing programme of health checks for employees exposed to hand-transmitted vibration. It is designed to identify early signs of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome and other vibration-related health concerns, so employers can review exposure and controls before problems become more serious.
Suitable health surveillance should be provided where employees are likely to be regularly exposed to hand-arm vibration above the daily Exposure Action Value of 2.5 m/s2 A(8), where they may occasionally exceed that level and the risk assessment identifies a health risk, or where they have an existing HAVS diagnosis or other particular vulnerability.
Workers who use vibrating tools or equipment may need HAVS surveillance. This can include employees using breakers, grinders, drills, impact wrenches, chainsaws, compactors and hand-guided machinery across industries such as construction, engineering, utilities, manufacturing, maintenance, forestry and landscaping.
Assessments typically include a questionnaire covering symptoms, work history and vibration exposure. Depending on the outcome, this may be followed by a more detailed clinical assessment of circulation, sensation, dexterity and hand or arm function, with further investigation or referral where clinically indicated.
Frequency should be based on the employee’s vibration exposure, role, symptoms and previous findings. Many programmes include a baseline assessment followed by periodic reviews, commonly annually, with more frequent follow-up where risks or early changes are identified.
If early signs are identified, an occupational health professional will consider appropriate follow-up. This may include reviewing exposure, strengthening controls and work practices, applying temporary restrictions or adjustments, arranging further clinical assessment, or referral where needed.
Clarity provides HAVS surveillance nationwide through on-site delivery, mobile medical units and clinic appointments. We will help you choose a delivery method that works around your sites, shifts and workforce availability.
Yes. HAVS surveillance information is handled under clinical-governance and data-protection arrangements. Employees’ medical information remains confidential, while managers receive appropriate outcome and workplace-action information rather than full clinical records.
Tell us about your workforce, sites and requirements. We will call you to discuss a practical occupational health solution and the most suitable delivery options.
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