Manufacturing & Engineering

Comply with vibration at work regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. Covers hand-arm vibration (HAV), whole-body vibration (WBV), exposure limits, and health surveillance for HAVS.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must assess and control vibration risks from tools and vehicles to protect workers. Check exposure levels, use low-vibration equipment, and provide health checks if needed. Fines are unlimited if you break the rules.

  • Assess vibration risks from tools and vehicles
  • Check exposure against action (2.5 m/s²) and limit (5.0 m/s²) values
  • Use low-vibration tools and maintain equipment
  • Limit exposure time and rotate tasks
  • Provide health checks if exposure is above 2.5 m/s²
  • Train workers on risks and symptoms
  • Keep records for 40 years
  • Improve surfaces and vehicle suspension for whole-body vibration
  • Report symptoms like tingling or white fingers immediately
  • Unlimited fines for breaking the rules
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UK-wide

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Regular use of vibrating tools and equipment can cause permanent, disabling conditions. Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) affects blood vessels, nerves, and joints in the hands and arms. Whole-body vibration can cause back problems.

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to assess and control vibration exposure. These regulations particularly affect construction, manufacturing, forestry, and any sector using power tools or operating vehicles over rough terrain.

Hand-arm vibration exposure

Hand-arm vibration (HAV) occurs when holding vibrating tools or work pieces. The regulations set specific exposure values:

Common sources of hand-arm vibration

Many common tools and equipment cause significant hand-arm vibration:

HAVS develops gradually: Early symptoms include tingling and numbness after using vibrating equipment. As the condition progresses, fingers go white in the cold (vibration white finger), grip strength reduces, and fine dexterity is lost. These effects are permanent and can end careers.

Risk factors: Exposure time, vibration magnitude, grip force, cold conditions, and individual susceptibility all affect risk. Smoking significantly increases the risk of vascular symptoms.

Whole-body vibration exposure

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is transmitted through the seat or feet, usually from vehicles or work platforms:

Common sources of whole-body vibration

WBV mainly affects vehicle operators, particularly those driving over rough terrain:

How to assess and control vibration risks

  1. 1

    Identify vibration exposure

    List all tasks involving vibrating tools or equipment. Include occasional as well as regular use. Note which workers are exposed and for how long.

  2. 2

    Estimate exposure levels

    Get manufacturer vibration data for equipment. Use HSE's exposure calculator to estimate daily exposure. Compare against action and limit values.

  3. 3

    Reduce exposure where possible

    Can the task be done differently without vibration? Can you use lower-vibration equipment? Limit exposure time through job rotation? Ensure equipment is well-maintained?

  4. 4

    Provide information and training

    Train workers on vibration risks, early symptoms to watch for, and how to reduce exposure. Emphasise importance of reporting symptoms early.

  5. 5

    Arrange health surveillance

    If exposure is at or above the action value, or there's a risk of HAVS, arrange regular health checks. Early detection allows intervention before permanent damage.

  6. 6

    Keep records

    Document your assessment, exposure estimates, control measures, and health surveillance results. Review when circumstances change.

Health surveillance requirements

Health surveillance is essential for detecting early signs of damage:

What health surveillance involves:

  • Questionnaires: Regular questions about symptoms (tingling, numbness, white finger episodes)
  • Clinical examination: If symptoms are reported, a medical examination by a qualified health professional
  • Tier 1-5 assessment: Classification from self-reporting through to referral to specialist

If HAVS is diagnosed: Review controls, consider alternative work, continue surveillance. The condition can progress even after exposure stops, so ongoing monitoring is important.

Record retention: The Vibration Regulations require a health record to be made and maintained while the worker remains under surveillance, with no statutory retention period. As good practice, keep records long after exposure ends (the 40-year period required for COSHH health records is a common benchmark) because effects can manifest long after exposure.

Practical control measures

For hand-arm vibration:

  • Choose low-vibration tools and keep them well-maintained
  • Use the right tool for the job - don't force tools
  • Limit exposure time and rotate tasks
  • Keep hands warm - cold increases risk
  • Do not grip tools tighter than necessary
  • Anti-vibration gloves have limited effectiveness but can help keep hands warm

For whole-body vibration:

  • Improve road and floor surfaces
  • Select vehicles with good suspension systems
  • Maintain suspension in good condition
  • Reduce speed on rough surfaces
  • Ensure seats are properly adjusted
  • Limit driving time on rough terrain

Common questions

Are anti-vibration gloves effective? They provide limited protection against high-frequency vibration but do not significantly reduce the low-frequency vibration from most power tools. Their main benefit is keeping hands warm.

What if workers already have symptoms? Refer them for medical assessment, review their exposure, and consider alternative work. Early action can prevent permanent disability.

Can workers refuse to use vibrating equipment? If they have reasonable concerns about health risks, take them seriously. Review the assessment and consider whether additional controls are needed.

What about occasional tool users? Even occasional exposure counts toward daily exposure. Include all uses in your assessment.