Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is an insidious work-related condition, with symptoms developing due to repeated exposure to powerful vibrations. Sadly, HAVS is permanent, but spotting early warning signs can prevent extensive damage.

Here, we discuss the 4 early hand-arm vibration syndrome symptoms that need to be addressed as soon as they’re spotted – and actionable steps to stop HAVS progressing.

What is hand-arm vibration syndrome?

Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a medical condition caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to vibration. The more intense the vibration, the faster the onset of hand-arm vibration symptoms.

It affects the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints of the hand, wrist, and arm. HAVS is considered an occupational disease, common in industries like construction, mining, forestry, and manufacturing.

Hand-arm vibration causes include power tools and hand-held machinery such as:

• Angle grinders
• Impact wrenches
• Sanders and polishers
• Rotary hammers and drills
• Chainsaws
• Hedge trimmers and brush cutters
• Strimmers/grass trimmers
• Jackhammers and pneumatic drills
• Concrete breakers and compactors
• Scabblers and needle guns

3 preliminary warning signs of hand-arm vibration syndrome

Before the classic HAVS symptoms become obvious, there are subtle early indicators that something may be affecting your hands and arms. Recognising these preliminary warning signs can help prevent long-term damage.

1. Increased sensitivity to cold

Fingers may feel unusually cold or take longer to warm up, even without turning white. This can be an early vascular change that signals reduced circulation before full blanching episodes appear.

2. Clumsiness with fine tasks

Struggling with small objects, like screws, coins, or buttons, may indicate early nerve or dexterity changes. Tasks that were once easy can suddenly feel awkward or require extra concentration.

3. Unexplained hand or forearm aching or stiffness

Hands may ache, feel stiff, or tire quickly after short periods of using vibrating tools or even during everyday activities. While easy to dismiss as normal tiredness, it can be an early sign of musculoskeletal stress caused by vibration exposure.

If you notice any of these signs, or if you’re a manager/employer and an employee mentions them, take action immediately. Early intervention is key to preventing permanent HAVS damage.

4 early symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome – If you notice these, something has to change fast!

Early symptoms of HAVS can be circulation-related, nerve-related, or muscle/joint-related and are often fleeting at first, which can lower vigilance. But the faster these symptoms are spotted, the sooner action can be taken to protect both the worker and their productivity.

Here’s what employers and employees should be looking out for.

1. Tingly fingers

A slight tingle in the finger may seem harmless, but it may be a vascular symptom of HAVS. It’s most likely to occur directly after using vibrating tools, so remember to take a moment to assess how your hands and fingers are feeling during and after a task.

Tingling in the finger is also more common at night, long after the day’s work is complete. This can give people the false idea that what they’re feeling is unrelated to vibration exposure at work, leading to the condition going unreported for longer.

Another aspect of this symptom to be wary of is that it can shift to the hand. As there is generally lower awareness of this effect of hand-arm vibration, it too can lead to workers assuming it’s unrelated to their job.

2. Fleeting numbness in fingers

During the early stages of hand-arm vibration syndrome, it’s common to feel a sense of numbness in your fingers or hands. This is one of the nerve-related symptoms of HAVS.

Episodes can be very subtle and short-lived to begin with, often feeling a little bit like the “deadness” felt during pins and needles. Some say it feels more like wearing a thin pair of gloves, as the reduced ability to sense textures, small objects, or temperatures gives the impression there’s a slight barrier between your hand and surfaces.

Some simply dismiss it as their hands getting cold, but it may occur in any ambient temperature.

Numbness is typically felt in a single fingertip at first (usually the index or middle finger), but can spread to other fingers and the hand with repeated vibration exposure. Eventually, this numbness can become permanent, so taking action when it’s first noticed is essential.

3. Finger turning white

A finger turning white is another of the early vascular signs of HAVS. As with other symptoms, it typically occurs in one fingertip to begin with, but over time, multiple fingers may blanche.

Finger blanching is a tell-tale sign that small blood vessels are taking on damage. At this point, when stressed, they spasm and shut down, preventing blood from reaching the affected area – hence the ghostly hue.

Once the episode subsides and blood flow resumes, affected fingers may become red and painful.

Finger whiteness is most noticeable during cold weather or when holding a cold object, but as HAVS worsens, it may occur even without cold triggers.

4. Reduced hand strength

HAVS can eat away at hand strength fairly early on, but as it’s so gradual, it often goes unnoticed or unworried about.

Rather than a sudden and total feeling of weakness, people experience small but important changes, such as feeling as though they have to hold onto tools more tightly than usual to prevent them shifting during use, or that they feel fatigued after using vibrating tools for short periods.

Even non-vibrating tasks may feel more difficult or exhausting, like tightening a screw or opening a jar.

Sometimes this symptom is asymmetrical to begin with, affecting only one hand. Over time, however, both hands can be involved, and the weakness may progress from being an occasional nuisance to a persistent limitation.

What needs to happen once HAVS is caught early

Once hand-arm vibration syndrome is in motion, it cannot be treated, highlighting the importance of preventative measures in ergonomics and health and safety programs.

However, catching HAVS early is the next best thing. By following these steps, you can prevent symptoms from getting worse, saving livelihoods and improving quality of life:

Reduce or eliminate vibration exposure

• Rotate tasks so affected workers spend less time on high-vibration tools.
• Use alternative methods or machinery where possible.
• Limit the duration and intensity of tool use with scheduled breaks.

Use protective equipment

• Anti-vibration gloves can help reduce the transmission of vibration.
• Ensure tools are properly maintained and serviced to minimise vibration.

Health monitoring and reporting

• Keep records of symptoms and report changes immediately to supervisors or occupational health services.
• Regular check-ups can detect subtle progression before it becomes permanent.

Workplace adjustments

• Modify workstations or tools to reduce strain.
• Implement training on safe tool use and early symptom recognition.

Lifestyle and care measures

• Keep hands warm and dry, especially in cold environments.
• Gentle exercises to maintain circulation and dexterity.

Control HAVS risk with Cardinus

Preventing conditions like HAVS requires more than awareness; it demands a systematic approach to managing workplace risks. Healthy Working Pro is an industrial ergonomics platform designed specifically for this purpose.

It allows organizations to assess, track, and manage ergonomic risks across non-office workplaces, including vibration exposure, manual handling, repetitive movements, and posture-related stress. By capturing data onsite in real time, assessors can evaluate tasks, tools, and work environments quickly and accurately.

With a library of pre-built assessment tools, as well as the ability to create custom tools, organizations can develop robust prevention plans tailored to the specific risks faced by their workforce.

Contact Cardinus today to learn more about Healthy Working Pro.