Good vibrations on show at Interbuild

Product innovation plays its part in reducing workplace accidents and injuries and several manufacturers in the power tools market are looking to meet the demands of industry legislation head on.

Exhibiting at Interbuild this year, in Hall 4’s ‘Truck & Tool’ section, the latest innovations from DeWalt, Bosch, Metabo, Makita and Hitachi will show visitors how they can cope with hand and arm vibration in their everyday work.

The raft of product launches is in response to the European Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive, which aims to protect workers from the harmful effects of vibration by placing a duty of care on employers to minimize the risk.

With operator’s safety the top priority, Hitachi are actively addressing the problem of HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome) bny looking at bringing in innovations in the design and manufacture of tools.

Their new UVP tools, including a rotary hammer, demolition hammer and masonry drill – with low vibration technology – have been developed to help meet the goals of this directive and market demand for lower vibrating tools.

Some of the products in the range can be continuously used for almost three hours before reaching recommended exposure limit, but Hitachi say that you should add any stoppages to this time – such as lunch breaks or non-tool work and preparation – to calculate the maximum job time for using the tool.

Meanwhile, Makita say that the industry has to meet customers’ demand for tools that provide hand and arm vibration protection and premium performance. The manufacturer’s expanding range of heavy duty rotary hammer drills and breakers also feature anti-vibration technology, while its recently introduced rotary demolition hammer comes with an ultra low vibration rating.

Dewalt, too, are profiling their latest range of demolition hammers. Using a complex system of counterbalances and floating handles, their 10kg hammer reduces vibration levels by almost 40%, while the 12kg version achieves more than 25%.