HSL is to run a 2 day course on Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

This course will be held at the Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire.

14 -15 September 2010

Introduction

Research commissioned by HSE suggests over 1 million people continue to be exposed to high levels of vibration in the workplace.

In May 2002 the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament adopted a joint text for a Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive regarding exposure risks arising from vibration sources. This defined the minimum health and safety requirements regarding exposure of workers to these risks. This Directive has come into force and Member States must comply from July 2005.

The HAVS assessment unit at HSL opened in 1998 and has performed assessments on over 9000 workers. Staff have conducted HSE-funded research into HAVS including new testing techniques such as Finger Systolic Blood Pressure (FSBP) and thermography, as well as studies on disability caused by HAVS. In 2004, HSL published a systematic review and guidance on the use of objective testing for HAVS commissioned by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.

This comprehensive course is designed for occupational health nurses and physicians. It will set out the key areas of HAVS assessment and provide guidance on how to assess and manage cases of HAVS. Time has been set aside for question and answer sessions. Please note when booking this course you will be required to quote your NMC or GMC number.

At the end of the course there will be an assessment of competence and those who are successful will be entitled to apply to the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) for a Certificate of Competence at an additional cost of £155 + VAT.

The course will cover:

• Health surveillance;
• Legal requirements for health surveillance;
• Pathophysiology;
• Control of vibration;
• Clinical assessment;
• Standardised tests;
• Case management.

Presenters include:

• Paul Pitts, specialist in noise and vibration for 25 years.
• Faculty accredited HAVS occupational health nurse and physicians
• Dr Howard Mason, Principal Scientist at HSL and co-author of the FOM HAVS review

Venue

The course will be run at the HSL laboratory in the spa town of Buxton. Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport.

The cost of the two-day course is £595 + VAT (to include course notes, lunches and dinner at a local restaurant in Buxton on the first night ).

For further information email: training@hsl.gov.uk or contact the Training Unit at HSL directly on 01298 218806.

Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitpeakdistrict.com

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