Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is more than just a health risk; it’s a business liability that can have serious implications for workers’ safety and wellbeing
At Metal Fabrication Supplies, ‘Faster. Safer. Longer‘ is more than just our strapline; it’s in our DNA and drives every aspect of our business. If a product or service fails to meet the criteria of either helping our customers work faster, be safer, or doesn’t last longer, then we just don’t supply it. This is why Metal Fabrication Supplies has partnered with HAV-Sentry—a forward-thinking and innovative company focused on safeguarding the welfare of your business and workforce.
Through our alliance with HAV-Sentry, we can now provide our customers with the ONLY HAVS-compliant device that actually measures the vibration magnitude on the palm of the hand, in line with the HSE guidelines 2023. By using sensors at the palm of the hand, this innovative technology reads actual vibration levels and informs the user of any possible overexposure. The data from the HAV-Sentry Aegis unit will help you to stay compliant, inform you of any possible issues, and keep you well ahead of the game!
Compliance = Safety
“The HAV-Sentry system does all the work and then creates the individual’s vibration risk assessment. The system ensures that we are adequately protecting our employees and remaining compliant with legislation.” – User
What is HAVS?
Why do companies need to be compliant with HAVS?
Between 2020 and 2021, figures from the HSE show that there was a 375% increase in the number of people reported to be suffering from HAVS, in addition to 165 new cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (up 412 percent).
HAVS is debilitating, extremely painful, and is easily preventable with appropriate measures put into place to protect your workforce.
Companies need to be HAV (Hand-Arm Vibration) compliant in order to protect both their workers and their business from serious health, legal, and financial risks.
A leading social housing provider in Whetstone, Leicester, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £140,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,742 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 14th April 2025.
Lead HSE inspector Charlie Rowe said: “This is a tragic case and the fine imposed on the company underlines that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to follow health and safety regulations extremely seriously. HAVS is a serious and disabling health condition and we will not hesitate to take action against employers that fall below the required standard.
Here’s why it matters:
Worker Health & Safety: Prolonged exposure to vibration from tools and machinery can lead to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a painful and irreversible condition affecting blood vessels, nerves, and joints. Compliance helps prevent this.
Legal Obligation: Under the UK’s Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, employers are legally required to assess and control vibration risks, provide training, and carry out health surveillance where necessary.
Financial Protection: Non-compliance can lead to costly compensation claims, fines, and even prosecution. It also reduces downtime caused by worker illness or injury. A total of £2.5 million in HAVS fines have been issued over the past seven years, excluding legal costs or further civil compensation claims.
Reputation & Responsibility: Demonstrating a proactive approach to HAVS shows that a company values its workforce and takes its duty of care seriously—something that resonates with clients, partners, and employees alike.
Nearly two million people in the UK are estimated to be at risk of developing Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), according to the Health and Safety Executive.
How can we help protect your company and your workforce against HAVS?
HAV-Sentry accords with ISO 5349 and ISO 8041, the two official standards that define how vibration exposure must be measured and reported. HAV-Sentry also follows the HAVS guidance on measuring and monitoring, which states that measurements taken away from the palm of the hand are unlikely to be representative. The HAV-Sentry system also measures grip pressure, which can have a profound effect on vibration magnitudes.
Workers only have to wear the monitoring equipment for a short period of time to identify possible problem areas; however, for monitoring purposes, it is recommended that the equipment be worn for 10 days every quarter, or for a minimum of 10 days every 6 months.
The HAV-Sentry equipment can be worn over or underneath any PPE or gauntlets.
We believe that the HAV Sentry system is the best way to monitor and eliminate HAVS.
How does it work?
To request any additional information or arrange a FREE no-obligation HAVS evaluation, simply fill in the form below
Please fill in the form below with your contact details, and a member of the MFS team will get in touch to discuss your FREE no-obligation HAVS evaluation
