Vibration awareness training for RIB crew
RIBs and High Speed Craft can expose employees and workers to high levels of repeated shock and Whole Body Vibration, which has been shown to increase the risk of acute and chronic injury.
Millions of workers in Europe are exposed to mechanical vibration transmitted to the hands from powered hand tools or to the whole body through industrial seating.
Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) can cause bouts of 'white finger' and may also cause permanent numbness of fingers. Whole Body Vibration (WBV) can affect back, neck, knees and joints.
The maritime sector recognises the need to reduce the effects of Whole Body Vibration but this is not a straightforward process for those operating RIBs and High Speed Craft (HSC). These vessels can expose employees and workers to high levels of repeated shock and WBV which has been shown to increase the risk of acute and chronic injury. Vibration on RIBs and HSC is usually caused by continuous 'hammering' from short steep seas or wind against tide conditions. Shock on RIBs and HSC is usually caused by random 'hits' from head sea impacts, crossing seas or overtaking following seas.
FRC International provides expertise for Fast Response Craft (FRC) personnel. This includes understanding risk, duty-of-care, legislation, evolving technologies and new operational tasks and scenarios. The FRC WBV Awareness Courses, recognised by The Nautical Institute, are relevant to all sectors affected by this major health and safety issue. This includes military, search & rescue, government agencies, local authorities, police, wind farm, oil & gas, thrill rides, charter, powerboat schools and all organisations operating planing craft under 24m.
The Whole Body Vibration (WBV) awareness courses are interactive, with the core objective of understanding that WBV injury is a global issue affecting personnel in all maritime sectors using RIBs and HSC. Attendees of the FRC International courses will understand the risks of repeated WBV shock exposure for crew and passengers. Management and crew knowledge can improve employee engagement and shared responsibility for duty of care. WBV Manager is a one day awareness course aimed at all managers, officers and supervisors of planing craft in the professional maritime sector. WBV Crew is a one day awareness course aimed at all coxswains and crew of planing craft in the professional maritime sector.
WBV Manager and WBV Crew courses also provide the background to the EC Physical Agents Directive legislation that came into force on 6th July 2010. The European Vibration Directive requires employers to control exposure to a number of hazards including noise and vibration. WBV courses introduce control measures and the requirements for compliance. The Directive advises employers that they need to provide, 'adequate information and training to instruct workers to use work equipment correctly and safely in order to reduce their exposure to mechanical vibration to a minimum'.
Whole Boat Vibration on small craft is a global problem and the injury statistics are growing. Stopping fast craft operations is not a realistic option, but making them safer is essential.
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