The effects of vibration on hands and arms: clinical brief.

1. Prevention and early intervention are crucial for reducing unhealthy outcomes from exposures to vibration hazards. 2. Greater awareness by the worker of the interactions among stressors, heavy tools, awkward and forceful movements, cold temperatures, smoking, and other factors specific to the situation are essential. 3. Reviewing regular tool maintenance with the worker which stresses the recording of lubrication, rebalancing, calibration, and applicable support is important. 4. Health and safety committees and purchasing agents need to be supplied with vibration particulars of tools in advance of their purchase. This serves two purposes,--facilitating employee problem prevention and alerting equipment manufacturers to potential workplace exposure hazards.