Delivery of health surveillance for hand-arm vibration in the West Midlands.
BACKGROUND: Concerns about provider competence and quality of hand-arm vibrations (HAVs) health surveillance programmes were identified by Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors. AIMS: To evaluate health surveillance programmes and compare them with published HSE guidance. To identify deficiencies and areas for improvement in the health surveillance programmes. METHODS: A proforma was developed for the study and used on a sample of 10 local occupational health providers. RESULTS: All 10 organizations were aware of current HSE guidance for health surveillance for HAVs but only a minority (30%) were following it. Occupational health provider training, written procedures and health surveillance delivery were all identified as areas requiring improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of organizations were not following HSE guidance. Occupational health providers undertaking health surveillance for HAV require specific training.