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Occupational Medicine Advance Access originally published online on August 23, 2006
Occupational Medicine 2007 57(1):25-29; doi:10.1093/occmed/kql089
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C. Barber, Health and Safety Laboratory. © Crown Copyright 2006. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Hand–arm vibration syndrome in South African gold miners

Busi Nyantumbu1,2, Chris M. Barber3, Mary Ross1,2, Andrew D. Curran3, David Fishwick3, Belinda Dias2,4, Spo Kgalamono1,2 and James I. Phillips1

1 National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
2 School of Public Health, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
3 Centre for Workplace Health, Health and Safety Laboratory, Buxton, UK
4 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa

Background Hand–arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is associated with the use of hand-held vibrating tools. Affected workers may experience symptoms of tingling, numbness, loss of grip strength and pain. Loss of dexterity may impair everyday activities, and potentially increase the risk of occupational accidents. Although high vibration levels (up to 31 m/s2) have been measured in association with rock drills, HAVS has not been scientifically evaluated in the South African mining industry.

Aims The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of HAVS in South African gold miners, and to identify the tools responsible.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a single South African gold-mine. Participants were randomly selected from mineworkers returning from annual leave, comprising 156 subjects with occupational exposure to vibration, and 140 workers with no exposure. Miners who consented to participate underwent a clinical HAVS assessment following the UK Health and Safety Laboratory protocol.

Results The prevalence of HAVS in vibration-exposed gold miners was 15%, with a mean latent period of 5.6 years. Among the non-exposed comparison group, 5% had signs and symptoms indistinguishable from HAVS. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). All the cases of HAVS gave a history of exposure to rock drills.

Conclusions The study has diagnosed the first cases of HAVS in the South African mining industry. The prevalence of HAVS was lower than expected, and possible explanations for this may include a survivor population, and lack of vascular symptom reporting due to warm-ambient temperatures.

Keywords      Hand–arm vibration syndrome; South Africa; vibration exposure

Correspondence to: Chris Barber, Centre for Workplace Health, Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK. Tel: +44 1298 218169; fax: +44 1298 218471; e-mail: chris.barber{at}hsl.gov.uk


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