In article <[email protected]>,
<[email protected]> wrote:
> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> Is this normal?
>
Definitely not good:
From http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=19713
Definition of Hand-arm vibration syndrome
Hand-arm vibration syndrome: A disorder resulting from prolonged
exposure to vibration, specifically to the hands and forearms while
using vibrating tools. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and loss of
nerve sensitivity. The hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a painful
and potentially disabling condition of the fingers, hands, and arms due
to vibration. There is initially a tingling sensation with numbness in
the fingers. The fingers then become white and swollen when cold and
then red and painful when warmed up again. Cold or wet weather may
aggravate the condition. Picking up objects such as pins or nails
becomes difficult as the feeling in the fingers diminishes and there is
loss of strength and grip in the hands. The pain, tingling, and
numbness in the arms, wrists and hands may interfere with sleep.
Sources of vibration that can cause HAVS are very varied and include
pneumatic drills, jackhammers, asphalt breakers, power chain saws,
chipping tools, concrete vibrators and levelers, needle guns and
scabblers, polishers, power jigsaws, sanders and angle grinders,
riveters, compactors, power lawnmowers and even electronic games in
which the hand controls vibrate.
HAVS was first widely recognized as a potential occupational hazard in
the mid-1980s. It was first known as "vibration white finger."
From Cal-OSHA: http://www.cdc.gov/elcosh/docs/d0200/d000259/d000259.html
1. Vibration from tools can damage the blood vessels in your hands and
fingers. The reduced blood supply can then harm the skin, nerves, and
muscles. You lose feeling in your hands and fingers, and can¹t control
them. This is called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), and is also
known as ³white finger,² ³dead finger,² or ³Raynaud¹s Syndrome.²
It¹s very important to watch for early symptoms and report them. What
are the signs to watch for?
Tingling fingers
Fingertips turn white or blue
Trouble picking up small objects
Reduced sense of heat, cold, and pain in hands.
Numbness
Clumsiness with hands
Trouble buttoning and zipping clothes
2. Vibration isn¹t the only thing that can reduce the blood supply to
your hands and fingers. Your chance of getting HAVS goes up if you¹re
exposed to vibration combined with other risk factors that also cut
down the blood supply. Do you know what some of those risk factors are?
Cold
Loud noise
Tobacco smoke.
3. Is there any protective gear you can wear to prevent exposure to
vibration?
Not really. There are gloves with vibration-damping material
built into the palms and fingers. But they haven¹t been proven
effective. If they fit well and don¹t cause you to grip tighter, it
doesn¹t hurt to try them.
Regular work gloves and warm clothing are important in cold
weather to avoid getting your hands cold or wet. Remember that cold
increases your risk.
Hearing protection is important in noisy environments, and many
vibrating tools are very loud. Remember that noise increases your risk.
Always wear safety glasses or other eye/face protection when you
work with any tool.
4. Are there tools that reduce your exposure to vibration?
Yes. The best solution is to do the work with a non-vibrating
tool instead of a vibrating one if you can. For example, sometimes you
can mill or machine a part instead of using a grinder.
If you do use a vibrating tool, use one that has anti-vibration
features built in whenever possible. Some new designs can reduce tool
vibration over 50%. But tool suppliers should be asked for real
evidence that their equipment reduces vibration.
Vibration is reduced when tools are well maintained. Tools that
are worn, blunt, or misaligned vibrate more. Immediately report any
tool that is functioning poorly.
5. Are there any other ways to reduce exposure to vibration?
Limit the amount of time you use vibrating tools (both hours per
day and days per week) wherever possible.
Take a 10-minute break for every hour that you spend working with
a vibrating tool. Or alternate work with vibrating and non-vibrating
tools.
Let the tool do the work. Keep your grip as loose as possible
while still keeping control of the tool. A tight grip restricts blood
flow, and also allows more vibration to pass from the tool to the body.
Don¹t use full throttle unless you need to.
From HSB: Hey, let's be careful out there.
--
Vince Heuring To email, remove the Vince.
[email protected] wrote:
> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> Is this normal?
Hmm, simple answer - no, but... I have been diagnosed with some
minor nerve damage to my left arm and hand after years of keyboarding.
When I use power tools that vibrate - sanders, etc. my left hand will
tingle a lot. That being said, I'm not a doctor, but suggest you
might want to do the following:
1) Use gloves. They work for me at times. Helps to dampen the
vibration.
2) Get a nerve test.
Good luck.
MJ Wallace
[email protected] wrote:
> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> Is this normal?
Not sure if it's normal, but it's not unusual. The older you are the
more usual the "frayed" nerves will be. Wear gloves with gel-palms and
don't hold the tools in a death grip. Change your grip frequently and
take breaks.
R
[email protected] wrote:
> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> Is this normal?
For a minute or two, yes.
For days, no. It's an early sign of something worse
to come, possibly preventable.
Probably it is best to see a doctor now, and take precations
like padded gloves, wrist braces and so on.
--
FF
> > I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> > after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot.
My hand will sometimes tingle for a few MINUTES after using an RO
sander, but I'd say a few days is not normal. Of course I'm not a
doctor, so I'll suggest you go see one.
Andy
[email protected] wrote:
> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> Is this normal?
Hi guys and thanks for the replies. I was grinding concrete yesterday
for a couple hours. My left hand still tingles from that. It's hard to
tell if it's gotten any better, but I thought I remember this happening
to me when I was sanding a while ago.
[email protected] wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> > after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> > them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> > Is this normal?
>
> Hmm, simple answer - no, but... I have been diagnosed with some
> minor nerve damage to my left arm and hand after years of keyboarding.
> When I use power tools that vibrate - sanders, etc. my left hand will
> tingle a lot. That being said, I'm not a doctor, but suggest you
> might want to do the following:
>
> 1) Use gloves. They work for me at times. Helps to dampen the
> vibration.
>
> 2) Get a nerve test.
>
> Good luck.
>
> MJ Wallace
How long does it tingle for, or is it dependant on how long you use the
tool for?
[email protected] wrote:
> Is this what I have?
Do you seriously want someone who is not a doctor to
diagnose you without even seeing you?
> But my finger tips don't turn white in the cold
> and are not numb. Could 2 hours of the grinder really cause all of
> this? Or is this something that happens from repeated exposure? (this
> is not my occupation, I sit in front of a computer all day).
Uh huh. You could also be in the early stages of Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome. I have a neighbor with MS and her first
symptoms were much like yours.
So there are three very different possibilities and no one online
can tell you if you have any of the three or something else
entirely.
--
FF
[email protected] wrote:
> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot.
Not normal, that could be indicative of Raynaud's disease (OK, strictly
it's secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, not the disease, but that's close
enough for Usenet).
An hour or two afterwards is typical. It's not good for you, and if
it's a regular occupational problem then you (or your employer) should
fix this, or you're at risk of future problems akin to "vibration white
finger".
If you're experiencing more than an hour, even after a long day's
grinding, then you have a personal physiological issue that's making
you extra-sensitive to it. Do you have "poor circulation", an unusual
susceptibility to cold, or does your skin turn blue white or red? Like
any of these exposure-related problems, don't ignore it today or you'll
pay the cost in a few years time.
If you're getting a couple of _days_ sensation afterwards, then you
have a problem.
As to practical measures assuming you're going to use the tools anyway,
then there's an awful lot you can do:
Change the process. If it vibrates, don't do it. Don't saw it, slice
it. Don't do it under power, do it more slowly by hand. Take up planing
by hand rather than using that noisy powermuncher. Quieter too.
Change the technique. Switch from a hammer drill to an SDS drill (more
drilling, less vibration). Use an abrasive flapwheel rather than a
rigid disk.
Change the tool. Compare a cheap angle grinder and a Metabo. Compare a
delta sander and a Fein Multimaster. This is the one big reason why I
buy expensive power tools, not cheapies.
Change the handles. Many better tools (notably Bosch) use side handles
with anti-vibration inserts. These are also sold separately and will
fit other makers' models. Most of my own powertool handles are wrapped
in 5mm neoprene sticky tape, sold as pipe lagging.
Wear gloves - there are lots of anti-vibration gloves out there,
ranging from inflatable airbags (isolated, but poor control) to gel
pads (reasonable) or even deep freeze gloves (poor vibration
resistance, but dirt cheap and you've no excuse not to).
Limit your exposure. Stop for breaks. Don't use that technique for so
long in a day that you get "fizzy fingers" -- stop and do something
else instead.
Thank you. The sanders I'm usually okay with. The concrete angle
grinder is the worst. I believe it's from the acceration of the
vibrations. It's a Bosch and I've always liked Bosch tools and this
product produces virtually no dust. I guess we live and learn. I really
hate having weird "nerve problems" IE tingles, that's why I was
concerned.
Again, thank you.
In article <[email protected]>,
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
>after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
>them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
>Is this normal?
>
I would say that tingles that "go on for days" is not normal after
just occasional use. I get some tingles after using certain power
tools too, but if it lasted for days I would be concerned.
--
Often wrong, never in doubt.
Larry Wasserman - Baltimore, Maryland - [email protected]
[email protected] wrote:
> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> Is this normal?
>
no.
--
BigEgg
Hack to size. Hammer to fit. Weld to join. Grind to shape. Paint to cover.
http://www.workshop-projects.com -
Plans and free books - *Now with forum*
[email protected] wrote in news:1162756140.526751.228230
@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:
> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> Is this normal?
>
Yes it's normal for tools that vibrate A LOT. Don't use those tools,
replace them with tools that don't vibrate as much. We've got a palm
sander that's never used because it vibrates too much, while the 1/4
sheet sander gets occasional use (usually by the time I'd to 100 grit I'm
hand sanding) that doesn't vibrate nearly as badly.
In my high school shop, I've been known to spend an entire week sanding
with a palm sander (50 minutes a day) with no ill-effect to my hands and
arms.
Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.
To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Could 2 hours of the grinder really cause all of
> this? Or is this something that happens from repeated exposure? (this
> is not my occupation, I sit in front of a computer all day).
Sure can, especially if you don't do it on a regular basis.
Try to get some benefit from it. Hold your tool and see if you can make it
tingle. :)
[email protected] wrote in news:1162760527.344037.318940
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>
> [email protected] wrote:
>> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
>> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
>> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
>> Is this normal?
>
> Hi guys and thanks for the replies. I was grinding concrete yesterday
> for a couple hours. My left hand still tingles from that. It's hard to
> tell if it's gotten any better, but I thought I remember this happening
> to me when I was sanding a while ago.
>
>
Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I do that."
Doctor: "Then don't DO that."
The body will do things that aren't good for it. Your brain is there to
figure out a better way, before you break your body.
Patriarch
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
> Is this normal?
Mine will tingle for a few hours but I don't recall it going longer than
that. I find that wearing a pair of gel-filled bicycle gloves helps.
On 5 Nov 2006 13:52:04 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>Is this what I have? But my finger tips don't turn white in the cold
>and are not numb. Could 2 hours of the grinder really cause all of
>this? Or is this something that happens from repeated exposure? (this
>is not my occupation, I sit in front of a computer all day).
Probably not.
I don't generally have any problems with my hands, but I've had long
periods of tingling after doing a stretch of work that I'm not
accustomed to. If you ask me, moving from working in from of a
computer to grinding concrete for a few hours is bound to cause some
discomfort of some sort. But the odds of getting perminent damage
from doing it once or even a couple of times seems pretty low.
If you were running a jackhammer all day every day, I imagine it would
be a different story.
You can always go see a doctor if it's really bad, but I wouldn't lose
any sleep over it, myself.
On 13 Nov 2006 09:42:22 -0800, "Andy Dingley <[email protected]>"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>[email protected] wrote:
>
>> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
>> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot.
>
>Not normal, that could be indicative of Raynaud's disease (OK, strictly
>it's secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, not the disease, but that's close
>enough for Usenet).
>
I suffer from Raynaud's and it has not caused this problem. A year
ago a problem with arm tingling started. After much testing it turned
out to be hypothyroidism. Synthroid caused all the nerve problems to
get better.
On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 19:53:15 +0000, bigegg <[email protected]>
wrote:
>> I was wondering if it's normal for your hand to tingle for a few days
>> after using sanders, grinders or tools that vibrate a lot. I only use
>> them occasionaly around the house but the tingles can go on for days.
>> Is this normal?
It was when I was developing carpal tunnel syndrome. 8^(
Get anti-vibration gloves pronto, and possibly see an orthopedic
doctor. CPS is easily repairable in many cases if caught early.
><[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>I sit in front of a computer all day).
I missed this the first time.
More reason it could be carpal tunnel syndrome.
You might also get better tools. For example, the Porter Cable 505 is
a half sheet sander that has so little vibration that it passes the
nickle test. You can sand all day with no tingle when you stop.
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-505-Half-Sheet-Finishing-Sander/dp/B00066157U
http://www.epinions.com/content_15608614532
The current Fine Woodworking Tool Guide also rates vibration levels
for orbital sanders.
On 13 Nov 2006 07:45:58 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>Well guys, thanks for the replies. My hand no longer tingles. I did
>purchase anti-vibe gloves, and wrapped rubber weather seal around the
>grab bar. I guess it works to some extent. Anyway, appreciate the
>replies.
That's the reason.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> (this
> is not my occupation, I sit in front of a computer all day).
>