Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

On 6th July 2005 the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (SI 1093) came into force which aims to control the exposure of employees to risks from vibrating work equipment, vehicles and machinery. The new Regulations impose duties on employers to protect employees 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

It is estimated that up to 5 million workers may be exposed to the risk of vibration through the use of work related equipment and every year approximately 3,000 new claims for Industrial Injury Disability Benefit are made for vibration white finger and vibration related carpal tunnel syndrome.

These injuries and illnesses can lead to time off work, loss of productivity and compensation claims.

The most common source of vibration exposure is, through the hands, wrists, arms where there is direct contact with a vibrating source i.e. Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV).

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

The Regulations require businesses to control these risks through regular assessment the workplace.

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