Control of Vibration at Work Regulations

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (SI 1093) aim to control the exposure of workers to risks from vibrating work equipment, vehicles and machinery. The Regulations impose duties on employers to protect staff who may be at risk from either hand-arm or whole-body vibration and others who may be directly affected by the work.

In summary they:

• Provide action levels and limit values for daily exposure to vibration
• Require an employer to carry out risk assessments

The most common source of vibration exposure is through the hands, wrists, arms where there is direct contact with a vibrating source. Two million people in the UK are at risk from Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome ( HAVS)*.

Workers most at risk from HAVS are those working in forestry, woodworking, metal working, mining, quarrying, demolition, road construction and shoe manufacture, i.e. any work involving handheld mechanical tools.

If your employees suffer from injuries or illnesses caused by vibrations it could lead to them taking time off work, a loss of productivity and compensation claims against you and your business.

Be aware of your obligations as an employer, and put in place regular assessments to control the risks in the workplace.

 

* Source: Health and Safety Executive (Reproduced under the terms of Click-Use License) 01/ 2010

Last reviewed 01/10

 

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