Hand/Arm & Whole Body Vibration Resources
Hand-arm vibration - The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 Guidance on Regulations (L140 2nd Edition 2019)
This book explains to employers, health and safety advisors, specialists and occupational health professionals what they need to do to reduce and control the risks from hand-arm vibration (HAV) under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVs) Prevention Through Intervention
Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a disease that involves circulatory disturbances, sensory and motor disturbances and musculoskeletal disturbances. While it has been known since the beginning of the 20th century that vibration affects the hands and arms, it was not until 1983 that scientists agreed on a definition of HAVS that includes the circulatory, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Download the OHCOW fact sheet for more information.
Not so good vibrations - prosecutions for failures to adequately manage the risks from vibration remain a priority for the HSE
Over recent years there has been a noticeable increase in prosecutions by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failures to adequately manage the risk from vibration and where Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) has been suffered by employees. This has resulted in a number of sizeable fines being imposed on employers. The HSE recently issued updated guidance on the governing legislation, The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
Whole body vibration calculator - HSE
The Vibration Calculator is used to calculate the risk of WBV (Whole Body Vibration) in the workplace. It calculates the daily vibration exposure that an employee is subjected to allowing the employee to analyse the risk and an employer to meet health and safety requirements. Click image to view calculator...
Control back-pain risks from whole-body vibration ( INDG242 (rev1))
This leaflet will help you manage the risk of back pain in your employees and will
tell you what you need to do to comply with the Control of Vibration at Work
Regulations 2005.
Drive away bad backs - Advice for mobile machine operators and drivers (INDG404)
Mobile machine operators and drivers often report back pain. This can have many
causes, not all related to work. But back pain may be made worse by driving for a
long time in a poorly adjusted seat, jolting and jarring from rough roads (whole-body
vibration) and by manual handling.
Hand-arm vibration A guide for employees (INDG296)
This pocket card is aimed at people who use handheld powered work equipment or
work-pieces which vibrate while being processed by powered machinery, such as pedestal grinders.
8 Questions about Vibration Exposure Monitoring
HSE inspectors commonly come across companies that are engaged in routine continual monitoring or logging of workers’ hand-arm vibration exposure (e.g. using log books, in-line electrical or pneumatic timers or more sophisticated electronic timers and wearable timers). The following Q&A for employers addresses why HSE advises that such monitoring is unlikely to be necessary.
Hand-arm vibration at work A brief guide (INDG175(rev3))
This leaflet explains what you, as an employer, may need to do to protect your employees from the risk of hand-arm vibration. It will also be useful to employees and their representatives. The leaflet will help you identify when exposure to hand arm vibration may cause harm. It introduces practical steps for controlling the risks and will help you understand what you need to do to comply with the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (the Vibration Regulations).
Hand-Arm Vibration in Foundries
This booklet is aimed at all levels of management, safety officers, safety representatives and others within the foundry industry who may require guidance on how to reduce the risks of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
Sources of Vibration Magnitude Data
An HSE paper written to assist you in selecting suitable vibration magnitude data.
Whole-Body Vibration in Agriculture (AIS20 (Rev.2))
This information sheet describes how whole-body vibration (WBV) from agricultural work can cause back pain. It explains what action employers, employees and the self-employed can take to reduce exposure to WBV and comply with their legal duties under health and safety legislation.
Whole-Body Vibration in Ports
This information sheet outlines the risk of developing back pain from whole-body vibration (WBV) when using port machinery and explains what you can do to reduce exposure to it.
HSE's Hand-Arm Vibration Exposure Calculator
Click image to view...
Whole-body vibration - The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 Guidance on Regulations (L141 2005)
This book will be of particular interest to employers in industries where there may be a health risk from WBV include agriculture, construction, forestry, mines and quarries. Risks may also exist where industrial trucks are used to transport materials, eg in factories, depots, warehouses and docks, particularly where the surfaces the trucks travel on are in poor condition or the drivers use poor driving techniques.
Hand-arm vibration in amenity horticulture and how to control the risk (INDG480 2019)
This guidance is aimed at employers in amenity horticulture. It explains how to protect workers from the risk of hand-arm vibration.
Helping Hand – managing work-related hand-arm vibration syndrome
It is estimated more than two million workers in the UK are exposed to high levels of vibration as a result of their work tasks, potentially putting them at risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Risk managing this condition, as well as managing and understanding the mental and physical implications when it does present, can be challenging.
