Vibration and protective gloves

I started this profession rather late so I have had a tendency to think “only a few years to go, so it probably wont matter much, its another cost so I wont bother “ . I use power tools on a daily basis and when I wake up in the morning my hands ache but this wears off after half an hour or so. Again the tendency is to blame it on my old bones & bits. WRONG!On Friday I did several hours of hard strimming {which I don’t normally do) By the end of the spell my hands were tingling and 3 days later my hands are still aching and burning which brought it home to me that I am actually damaging by body bit by bit every day by not wearing protective gloves. So yesterday I ordered a pair of full fit anti-vibration gloves and along with my ear defenders and safety glasses, which I already wear, will be donned every time I pick up any power tool from now on.I would expect that members who have received formal training to have had the associated risks drummed into them and therefore take the necessary precautions. It is true to say however that I see many young men working with strimmers and hedge cutters etc without wearing any gloves at all.Perhaps I am the only daft subscriber to Lj who has not been taking the proper precautions, but just in case I am not, and particularly to the younger persons who have embarked in this career, please take heed of the medical advice and precautions concerning the results of exposure to vibration.This topic has been raised before on Lj and I remember one subscriber advising how they had undergone an operation as a result of a condition brought on by vibration. As I didn’t react then to that warning I thought this little post may encourage any people like me who have already ignored the risk to reassess.If one other person is motivated to go and purchase and wear protective gloves then for me the purpose of sharing on this site will have been well worth it.

Replies

wozie May 4, 2009 at 1:24pm

How big a difference did they make to the vibrations on your hands ?
seen them on ebay they look good

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK...
wozie May 4, 2009 at 1:55pm

are they worth the money ?? i mean you can buy cheaper as well i guess you can use these even when working a lawnmower as well
Graeme @ BGS May 4, 2009 at 4:31pm

This is an excellent post and an issue that a lot of us don't take too seriously. Yes steel cap boots and eye protection but often the hands are over looked.

This has prompted me to get a pair of ergodyne proflex anti vibe gloves as my old anti vibes are fairly useless. Pro Gard recommendation makes spending £40 more a little less hurtful.
Helen Nock May 5, 2009 at 8:31am

Thanks for this post Gordon. I work with a grinder most days and frequently hammer and anvil. Just nipped off to Wozie's link and bought 'em. Ouch!
Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt May 5, 2009 at 4:32pm

I always wear gloves simply so that I don't have to spend donkeys every night with nail scrubber! They just good all rounders though - SHOWA are the best. Get them in the correct size for you and they act like an extra durable breathable skin. Buy them in pack of 10 for £2/pair and wash them at end of the week to last longer. I'm quite sure any glove with some substance to it will reduce vibration, even if they not £40, but I'm quite sure they worth it for some of you oldies!!
Helen Nock May 5, 2009 at 7:48pm

Cheeky! We is people of a certain age that realize time isn't infinate and our bits ain't bullet-proof. Might look into the SHOWA gloves as I've got my hands in allsorts of unladylike stuff all day.
Classic Gardens May 5, 2009 at 8:26pm

We use latex gloves ( not much anti vibe use ) but the staff like them and it dosnt bother me when they get accidently left at a job or thrown away.
They were about £5 for about 100 pairs not much good for rough stuff which we use heavy gloves for, but are a godsend for wet grass, soil and any cat muck around.
GORDON May 6, 2009 at 9:20pm

Pro Gard said:
A good post, i strated the origional after a similar tingling experience after using a c8 and have since bought ergodyne proflex anti vibe gloves. They definately make a differance particularly when wearing them for the worst vibrating stuff like polesaw and pole hedgetrimmer, Breaker, TS400 etc.

Just received my new ergondye proflex gloves, only cost me £18.02 inc delivery through ebay, right place at the right time. I didn't know what to expect, but it is undeniably obvious these gloves are a million miles from your everyday latex type. Because of the substantial padding they feel rather cumbersome but like anything else one will get use to it. So, next is the acid test. Will send in another comment after a fair comparison to the job that originated this post.
PRO

Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd May 8, 2009 at 9:36pm

Although gloves might help relieve vibration, they are not an HSE approved method. It is far better to purchase a reduced vibration tool to start with if at all possible. Vibration problems may not show for many years and could cause difficulties later on in life.

All manufactures should be able to provide you with vibration info. If they are unable or unwilling then I would give them a miss.

Stihl provid excellent vibration info as well as useful [daily] vibration calculator which you can modify with other manufacturer's tools. Check out www.stihl.com/vib for more info
PRO

Phil Voice March 27, 2013 at 8:34am

I have never previously suffered with the effects of vibration during my years on the tools.

However, last weekend I cut and strimmed my grass for the first time this year and after I'd completed the strimming (a small petrol strimmer without shoulder straps or cow-horn handlebars) I felt numbness and my hands and lower arms shook. I also felt as though my hands weren't connected to my arms.