Hey everyone! I'm a gardener and I use strimmers, trimmers, and mowers pretty much every day. Lately, I've been experiencing some serious pain in my hands, especially after a long day of work. My grip strength really dwindles, and right now, I can feel tingling and numbness in my little finger. Has anyone else dealt with this? I'd love some recommendations on how to manage or alleviate this issue!
3 Answers
It sounds like you might be dealing with vibration white finger, which is no joke. Continuous exposure to vibration can lead to long-term nerve damage. To help reduce the effects, consider upgrading to modern equipment with lower vibration ratings. Using a good body strap for your strimmers can also significantly reduce the impact on your hands. And don't forget to invest in some proper vibration-absorbing gloves; they can help improve blood circulation, which is crucial! You can find more guidance online.
Interesting to note, there aren't really gloves specifically designed for vibration damping. Most of their benefits come from improving blood flow and support.
You need to keep track of your vibration exposure if you're using these machines a lot. I've worked in construction, and we had to fill out HAVS monitoring sheets to keep track. You're probably exceeding safe limits if you’re using the tools for six hours a day. Seriously consider checking the manufacturer's vibration ratings and how much time you spend on each tool. The HSE has a great calculator to help monitor your levels—definitely worth a look! Also, if you can, look at alternative tools; some options last way longer than others.
If your employer isn't monitoring this, they could be in trouble legally if you're ever injured. RAMS should have informed you about HAVS!
Yeah, you definitely want to limit how long you use these tools, as HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome) is a serious condition. Loosen your grip and do some wrist stretches every day. If you can get your hands on equipment that produces less vibration, that'd be great. Also, if you're self-employed, it can be tricky, but your employer has a responsibility to keep you safe if you're working for someone else. Compression sleeves might help too to keep your blood circulating better! I've moved to mostly battery tools, which really has helped me.
Are you self-employed? Because if not, your employer really should be taking care of your health and safety regarding this.
That's a good point! Many miners in the past faced this issue too. Have you thought about using non-electric tools for some of your work? It could help!