Health Surveillance Risk Assessment HAVS Tiers Explained Symptoms For Employers About Contact Enquire now

Call 07743204587
Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

HAVS Tier 3 & 4 Assessment

Clinical assessment when symptoms need a closer look.

Clinical assessment by a qualified occupational health professional (Tier 3), escalating to formal diagnosis and staging by a doctor (Tier 4) where indicated — for workers whose Tier 1/2 questionnaire shows new or worsening symptoms.

Tier 3 is a hands-on clinical assessment carried out by a qualified occupational health professional, triggered when a Tier 1 or Tier 2 questionnaire response indicates new or worsening symptoms. It looks at grip strength, sensory function and reported symptoms in more detail than the questionnaire alone allows.

Tier 4 is a formal diagnostic examination by a doctor, used where Tier 3 findings need a clinical diagnosis and staging against the modified Stockholm Workshop Scale. This is also the tier used to give an opinion on fitness for continued vibration-exposed work once a diagnosis has been made.

Who this is for

  • Workers flagged by a Tier 1/2 questionnaire for new or worsening symptoms
  • Workers already diagnosed with HAVS or vibration white finger, needing continued surveillance
  • Employers needing a documented clinical opinion before deciding on a worker's continued vibration exposure

What's included

Tier 3: a clinical assessment of grip strength, sensory function and symptom history, carried out by a qualified occupational health professional. Tier 4, where indicated: a formal examination and diagnosis by a doctor, staged against the modified Stockholm Workshop Scale, with a written opinion on fitness for continued vibration work and any recommended controls or restrictions.

Health surveillance vs risk assessment
Health surveillance monitors individual worker health. A HAVS risk assessment evaluates workplace vibration exposure and is what determines whether surveillance is needed. The two are not interchangeable.
Questions

HAVS Tier 3 & 4 Assessment FAQs.

What triggers a Tier 3 or Tier 4 assessment?
A Tier 1 or Tier 2 questionnaire response indicating new or worsening symptoms, or a worker with an existing HAVS/vibration white finger diagnosis continuing under surveillance.
Who carries out Tier 4?
A doctor, giving a formal diagnosis and staging findings against the modified Stockholm Workshop Scale, distinct from the clinical assessment carried out at Tier 3 by a qualified occupational health professional.
What is the Stockholm Workshop Scale?
A clinical staging system for HAVS, scoring the sensorineural and vascular components of the condition separately for each hand. It stages the disease itself, distinct from the Tier 1–5 surveillance process used to decide when someone needs assessing.
Will I get a fitness-for-work opinion afterwards?
Where a diagnosis is made at Tier 4, you receive a written opinion on the worker's fitness for continued vibration-exposed work and any recommended controls or restrictions, for your employer records.
Ready when you are

Arrange your havs tier 3 & 4 assessment.

One enquiry, reviewed by a person, answered with a clear next step.

Enquire now
Discuss your HAVS requirements