Hand Arm Vibration

The UK will implement the Directive by Regulations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations will into force on 6 July 2005. These regulations set out specific requirements for the control of health risks from exposure to hand-arm and whole-body vibration in the workplace.

Hand-arm vibration comes from the use of hand-held power tools and is the cause of significant ill-health (painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves, joints and muscles of the hands and arms, collectively known as hand-arm vibration syndrome and including vibration white finger).

Whole-body vibration comes from riding in vehicles, particularly over rough terrain, and is a factor in back pain and injury.

Specifically the Directive require employers, where there is likely to be a risk from exposure to vibration to:

• reduce exposure to a minimum
  

• provide information and training
  

• assess exposure levels
  

• carry out a programme of measures to reduce exposure and provide appropriate health surveillance when exposure reaches the exposure action value
  

• keep exposure below the exposure limit value.
  

For hand-arm vibration the exposure values, assuming an 8 hour working day, are:

Exposure action value: 2.5 m/s² A(8)
Exposure limit value: 5.0 m/s² A(8)

These values represent the sum of vibrations measured in three different directions (x axis, y axis and z axis). The current HSE recommended action level is 2.8 m/s² A(8) is based on measurement in only one direction (the axis with highest vibration). For purposes of comparison with the Directive the HSE's current recommended action level might be translated as roughly 4 m/s² A(8).