title: Hand-arm vibration syndrome in South African gold miners.
abstract: 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/s(2)) have been measured in association with rock drills, HAVS has not been scientifically evaluated in the South African mining industry.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Busi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nyantumbu
authors.forename: Chris M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fishwick
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Spo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kgalamono
authors.forename: James I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006046:Gold; D053421:Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006046:Gold