HAVS Surveillance & Assessment Pathway for Employers

PEMS Health supports employers with the full process of vibration health surveillance — from routine screening through to specialist medical assessment.

This page explains how the HAVS pathway works and when each stage is required.

What is HAVS?

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a preventable occupational disease caused by regular exposure to vibration from hand held power tools and machinery.

Workers who regularly use equipment such as grinders, breakers, impact wrenches, hammer drills, sanders, chainsaws and other vibrating tools may be at risk of developing symptoms over time.

HAVS can affect:

• The blood vessels in the fingers, causing blanching or whitening in cold conditions

• The nerves in the hands, causing numbness, tingling and reduced sensation

• Grip strength and manual dexterity, affecting day to day tasks

The condition can become permanent if symptoms are not identified early. For this reason, employers have legal duties under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 to assess vibration risks and provide appropriate health surveillance where required.

PEMS Health provides nationwide HAVS health surveillance and physician led Tier 4 assessments to support employers in meeting these responsibilities.

Why is HAVS Health Surveillance Important?

The purpose of health surveillance is to identify symptoms at an early stage before significant or permanent injury occurs.

An effective HAVS surveillance programme helps employers:

• Meet their legal obligations

• Identify workers developing symptoms

• Reduce the risk of progression to more severe disease

• Obtain specialist occupational health advice when required

• Demonstrate appropriate management of vibration risks

Most workers exposed to vibration will only ever require routine screening. However, where symptoms are identified, further assessment may be required to determine fitness for continued vibration exposure and whether any restrictions should be considered.

The HAVS surveillance pathway

Health surveillance for vibration exposure is usually carried out in stages.
Each stage answers a different question.

Tier 1 — Baseline questionnaire before exposure
Tier 2 — Annual screening questionnaire
Tier 3 — Nurse assessment after symptoms reported
Tier 4 — Doctor assessment and fitness decision

Most employees only ever need Tier 1 and Tier 2 screening.
Tier 4 is only required if symptoms or abnormal findings are identified.

Routine screening (Tier 1 and Tier 2)

Employers use screening to detect early symptoms in workers using vibrating tools such as grinders, breakers and sanders.

Screening helps to:

  • Identify early symptoms

  • Prevent progression of HAVS

  • Demonstrate compliance with vibration regulations

  • Decide when further assessment is needed

👉 HAVS Screening Service: /havs-screening

When symptoms are reported

If an employee reports tingling, numbness or finger blanching during screening, further assessment is needed.

This does not automatically mean HAVS is present — but employers need clinical advice to manage exposure safely.

At this stage workers are usually referred for clinical assessment.

Clinical assessment (Tier 4)

A Tier 4 assessment is carried out by an occupational health physician and determines:

  • Whether HAVS is present

  • Whether vibration exposure should continue

  • What restrictions are required

👉 Tier 4 HAVS Medical Assessments: /tier-4-havs

Why HAVS surveillance matters

HAVS develops gradually. Early identification allows exposure to be controlled before permanent symptoms occur.

A structured surveillance programme helps employers:

  • Protect employees

  • Reduce long-term risk

  • Make defensible occupational decisions

Need advice?

If you are unsure which stage applies, contact us and we will help guide the appropriate next step.

Email: admin@pemshealth.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

Do all workers exposed to vibration need surveillance?
Surveillance is used where there is a risk of developing HAVS from regular exposure.

Is HAVS preventable?
Early detection and exposure control can prevent progression in many cases.

Who decides if someone can continue using vibrating tools?
This decision is made following clinical assessment when symptoms are reported.

Why Choose PEMS Health?

PEMS Health provides a complete HAVS health surveillance pathway from initial screening through to physician led Tier 4 assessments.

Our service includes:

  • Nationwide coverage

  • Online Tier 1 and Tier 2 screening

  • Physician led Tier 4 HAVS assessments

  • Clear fitness for work recommendations

  • Practical advice for employers

  • Rapid report turnaround

With over 10 years of occupational health experience, we support employers across engineering, manufacturing, construction, vehicle repair, utilities and other vibration exposed industries throughout the UK.

For organisations requiring support with HAVS health surveillance, screening programmes or specialist Tier 4 assessments, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Contact us

If you would like any further information or advice, please complete the contact form:

Alternatively you can call us on: 07424 332034