Hand-arm and Whole-body vibration
The Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive covers both Hand Arm Vibration and Whole Body Vibration and came into being in July 2002. The UK enacted this European Directive as the Control of Vibration Regulations (2005), made under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). IOM can help you if you have problems with vibration at work.
What It Means To You
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The New Regulations limit vibration exposure during a working day.
- Although the limits for Whole Body Vibration (WBV) have not yet been decided, they will affect a wide range of vehicle users particularly those involved in construction, agriculture, forestry and other earth moving activities.
- Employers must ensure that vibration exposures from tools used in the course of their business do not exceed maximum levels. To do this they must measure the vibration levels of the tools and the exposure times and thus determine the risk of exposure.
- Control measures to reduce vibration must be implemented if exposures are above an Exposure Action Value. Employers should implement a strategy to reduce vibration levels and exposures.
- Employers should introduce a system of Health Surveillance for all workers where there is a significant risk of HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome)
- Employers should implement a strategy to reduce vibration levels.