Programme

Day One:

Monday 24 January 2022 – Remote Learning

9.20

Registration

9.25

Welcome, introduction to vibration, HAVS and the legal framework

11.20

Aetiology and Pathology

  • Summary of concepts of pathological basis of each component of HAVS and CTS
11.15

Clinical assessment (Part 1)

  • Raynaud’s phenomenon, the vascular component of HAVS and vascular staging systems
12.15

Lunch

1.00

Clinical assessment (Part 2)

  • The sensorineural component, sensorineural staging, carpal tunnel syndrome and other neurological differential diagnoses
  • Musculoskeletal symptoms, cramp, grip strength, Dupuytren’s and other conditions
3.15

OH management of cases

  • Advice to employees and employers, legal issues including Equality Act, fitness for work
4.30

Close of day one

 

Day Two:

Wed 26 January 2022 – Remote Learning

 

9.00

Registration and coffee

9.10

Principles of health surveillance

  • HSE tiered approach, and professional and legal requirements
10.00

Practical aspects of clinical assessment

  • Assessing sensation, including monofilaments, two point discrimination, Pegboard; assessment of vascular status and other relevant tests
11.00

Common law aspects

  • Review of key legal judgements and implications for OH advice/ management
11.45

Group work, focusing on specific issues of clinical testing and case studies

12.15

Lunch

1.00

Group/ practical work (continued) and case studies

3.30

Discussion (continued)

4.00

Faculty examination

5.00

Close of course

Benefits of attending

Understand all aspects of the syllabus for HAVS competence as defined by the FOM including:

  • basic principles
  • legal background
  • workplace assessment
  • health surveillance and clinical assessment
  • occupational health action and advice

Receive printed documentation for future reference, plus all delegates will receive a FREE copy of Hand-arm vibration syndrome: a guide for occupational health practitioners by Dr. Roger Cooke.

 

Who should attend?

This training is designed for OH nurses and doctors. Previous experience of HAVS is not essential, but experience and/or training in OH is required. Only those delegates who meet the HSE requirements (doctors or nurses holding the appropriate UK registration) will be permitted to take the examination at the end of the course, although others may attend.

 

Examination and certification

A formal examination, set by the FOM, takes place at the end of the course. Attendance at all sessions is regarded as a pre-requisite to sitting the examination. Those doctors and nurses who successfully complete the examination will receive a Certificate of Competence accredited by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.

 

About our expert tutors

Dr Roger Cooke is a consultant in occupational medicine, and honorary senior lecturer at the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Birmingham. His experience and interest in vibration-related disease extends over 40 years, including clinical practice, teaching, advising industry and specialist groups, writing on the subject and acting as expert witness in legal proceedings. He is the author of the book, Hand–arm vibration syndrome: a guide for occupational health practitioners, published by The At Work Partnership in 2020.

Case studies and group work will be led additionally by occupational physician, Dr Susannah Gillibrand and by Andrew Cooke, clinical director at Clarity Healthcare, who also presents the session on health surveillance.

 

Pre-course reading

All delegates will receive a FREE copy of Hand-arm vibration syndrome: a guide for occupational health practitioners by Dr. Roger Cooke, and this is required pre-course reading. It will be sent to paid delegates three weeks before the event.

 

Further guidance about Tier 3 Assessments

In order to perform HAVS assessments at tier 3 or above, occupational health professionals are required to:

  •  Be registered/licensed to undertake clinical practice as defined by their appropriate professional body (eg GMC for doctors, NMC for nurses)
  • Have a higher qualification in occupational health. Doctors should hold a diploma in occupational medicine as a minimum. Other occupational health staff should have a higher qualification in occupational health, e.g. diploma or degree
  • Have successfully completed a FOM approved HAV training course

Some specific tasks can be devolved to a technician but the suitably qualified OH practitioner must retain over responsibility.

Extract from HSE Guidance on assessments

 

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