CORDLESS TOOLS AND HAND ARM VIBRATION

Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) is a neuromuscular disorder that causes numbness and muscle weakness. This can lead to serious conditions like Vibration White Finger (VWF), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and even gangrene. 

HAV is a common symptom in workers in manufacturing and construction, and also in people using petrol-powered equipment for prolonged periods. This includes petrol-powered cordless garden power tools like leaf blowers, chainsaws, mowers and strimmers or brush cutters, used in domestic gardens and commercial grounds.

LESS VIBRATION FROM BATTERY-POWERED GARDEN TOOLS

You can reduce the risk of HAV by using tools which produce less vibration.

Although figures vary by manufacturer, in general, battery powered equipment vibrates at significantly lower levels than petrol powered equivalents: a market leading petrol powered brush cutter vibrates at 7.6m/s2, compared to an EGO cordless brush cutter that vibrates at 2.175m/s2. Partly, this is because battery powered cordless machines don't require a combustion engine to power them.

Here at EGO, our innovation is focussed on developing tools specifically to vibrate at the lowest levels, whilst still maintaining high productivity levels.

THE COST OF PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS

Costs related to HAV injuries can be punitive. for example, in the UK, personal injury claims tend to range between £2,600 and £34,000 depending on severity. From a health and safety regulatory perspective, fines can be more devastating. In 2017, Wrexham County Borough Council was fined £150,000 for failing to address the issue of HAV in the workplace. 

By law, an employer must assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks to employees from exposure to HAV. The European Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive (2002/44/EC) sets a daily action limit of 2.5m/s2 and an exposure limit value of 5.0m/s2.

Falling well within the safety exposure values, battery powered cordless equipment is more comfortable to use and less likely to cause HAV. This benefits employee well-being and productivity, and employer peace of mind.

CORDLESS TOOLS AND NOISE POLLUTION

Prolonged exposure to noise can lead to serious health effects of the human endocrine system and brain, manifesting hearing loss, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and mental health problems. It has a similar impact on animals and wildlife. 

The World Health Organization cites noise as being second only to air quality as the largest environmental cause of health problems. It is also a cause of concern to employers regarding productivity, industrial injury and the wellbeing of their workforce..

PETROL GARDEN TOOLS AND NOISE POLLUTION

Under Article 590 of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health,worksites must maintain time-weighted average noise exposure below 85 dB(A), with engineering controls mandatory above 90 dB(A). Tested petrol chainsaws (105 dB(A)) and lawn mowers (98 dB(A)) exceed these limits (surpassing Boeing 737 landing approach noise at 1,852m: 90 dB(A)), while EGO's cordless chainsaw (85 dB(A)) is fully compliant. The EGO lawn mower (87 dB(A)) falls under Japan's "Management Category 2" requiring only hearing protection to meet regulations.

LESS NOISE FROM BATTERY-POWERED TOOL

Battery powered cordless equipment is also subject to restrictions, but is better able to meet the stringent requirements.The net result is that workers can enjoy improved comfort, communication and teamwork, while their business benefits from less disruption and a continuous working schedule.

In addition to the comfort and health benefits, the lower noise levels of battery powered equipment mean it can be used at times, and in places, where petrol powered equipment would otherwise be prohibited or a nuisance – early mornings near sensitive areas such as hospitals, schools and visitor attractions. 

As Japan enforces strict workplace noise limits under Article 590 of the Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance (mandating ≤85 dB(A) 8-hour equivalent noise levels), both household and commercial users may find this an opportune time to transition to quieter garden equipment like EGO power tools, particularly with European noise regulations (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC; Outdoor Noise Directive 2000/14/EC) simultaneously tightening standards globally.

CORDLESS TOOLS, EMISSIONS AND FUMES

Regular exposure to toxic fumes produced by petrol-powered garden tools and other equipment can cause acute, long-term health problems including cancer and aplastic anaemia.

In 2017, a leading environmental organisation tested emissions from petrol-powered outdoor equipment, including cordless garden tools, and found their emissions exceeded regulatory limits. EGO’s battery-powered cordless garden tools let off no emissions during use.

PETROL-POWERED GARDEN TOOLS ARE TOXIC

The Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. (Environmental Action Germany) undertook extensive testing of 21 handheld engines, including motor saws and brush cutters, from European suppliers. 

Its research revealed that nine tools failed to comply with EU limit values for HC+NOx (hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide), and three of these also exceeded the limit value for CO(X). 

Regular exposure to petrol emissions – especially benzene – impacts human health in many different ways, including acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases. Accordingly, the European Commission is making a concerted effort to minimise the damage to human health caused by what it calls NRMMs – ‘non-road mobile machinery’ – including mowers, leaf blowers and chainsaws among others.

ZERO EMISSIONS FROM BATTERY-POWERED TOOLS

With zero chemical emissions during use, EGO’s cordless outdoor power tools are unaffected by these directives – and will remain unaffected well into the future. Our ARC Lithium™ battery gives petrol-matching power but without the fumes.

EGO is the future of cordless garden tools

Advancing regulation and increased awareness of the harm to health of using traditional petrol-powered cordless garden tools means that battery-power is the future.

We are one of the few equipment manufacturers who commit our research and development programme exclusively on battery powered equipment. Every year, we innovate to ensure our products are ahead of the curve when it comes to user health.