Do your employees/workers use hand tools such as routers, hand held saws, drills, staplers, air operated screwdrivers etc. or materials held against a vibrating object which vibrates through that object e.g. routing in the woodwork room?

If yes:  Have you put measures in place to protect employees from the risks of hand arm vibration (HAV’s)?

If not: you need to think about:

• Assessing the risks from vibration exposure.
• Make sure the legal limits on vibration exposure are not exceeded.
• Taking steps to reduce vibration exposure.
• Taking into account vibration risks when purchasing equipment. 
• Providing training and information for employees on the risks of vibration and the measures in place to reduce these.
• Provide health surveillance (e.g. occupational health).

Risk Assessment

You should undertake a risk assessment that covers:

• Assessment of the vibration magnitude from each piece of equipment used. This is usually provided by the manufacturer. 
• Measurement of the time used with each tool.
• Identification of who might be affected.
• Reasonable estimates of individual employees’ vibration exposures using the HSE calculator to calculate the magnitude of exposure factor.  This will be based on vibration magnitudes and operating times for various equipment used throughout the day.  
• Identification of other risk factors, for example work in wet or cold environments increases the health risks from vibration exposure. 
• Consideration of individual factors. For example, health conditions may increase the risk and posture and technique. 

The risk assessment should also include an action plan which documents the measures in place to reduce the risk and any further measures planned.

Guidance

• Exposure limit value and Exposure Action value.
• Exposure Action Value – 2.5 m/s² A(8) (exposure averaged over a day).
• Wherever exposure at or above this level occurs, actions (including health surveillance) are required to control the risk.
• Exposure Limit Value -5m/s² A(8) (exposure averaged over a day).
• This is the maximum vibration exposure permitted for any individual on a single day.

Reducing Risk from Vibration Exposure

Measures should be put in place to reduce vibration exposure to a low a level as reasonably practical – even if vibration levels are below the Exposure Action Value, consideration should be given as to whether further reduction is practical. 

For example: 

• Replacing tools and equipment with alternatives which provide lower magnitudes of vibration. 
• Ensure work activities are designed to take into account ergonomic principles, and encourage good posture. 
• Ensure all equipment is properly maintained. 
• Reducing time exposure to vibration e.g. regular breaks, job rotation etc. 
• Provide where possible warm working environment. 
• Provide suitable training and information to those exposed to vibration. 

Consultation with Employees/Workers

During this risk assessment process employees should be consulted regarding the risks associated with hand arm vibration and the purpose of health surveillance, to provide reassurance about their job security and to explain why co-operating with the risk control measures and health surveillance programme will be in their best interests.

Health Surveillance

Exposure to vibration carries a risk of various health effects, this is most likely above the EAV of 2.5 m/s2, but may occur at lower exposures. 

Hand arm vibration covers a number of different conditions and one or more may affect an individual:

1. Vascular disorders (affecting circulation) – common ‘blanching’ of the fingers (especially on exposure to cold or to vibration) often followed by blueness / redness as rewarming occurs. 
2. Neurological disorders – including numbness, tingling of the fingers, reduced strength, reduced sensitivity and loss of dexterity.  
3. Musco-skeletal symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, reduced strength and dexterity and carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Symptom severity worsens with continued exposure and may be disabling and irreversible. In certain circumstances, HAV’s is reportable under RIDDOR. Health surveillance should be carried out by a suitably qualified person (Occupational Health Practitioner).

Health Surveillance will Generally Involve:

1. Initial assessment. This will usually be a questionnaire, with face to face follow up if required. 
2. Annual assessment. This will usually be by questionnaire. 
3. Face to face interview. This will be arranged if a questionnaire reveals symptoms. 

The Legal Requirement

Employers need to satisfy their obligations under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 1999.

A Recent Case

A Devon and Cornwall car franchise dealership has been fined £204.000 with £8,099 costs after two of its workers were diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

The Facts

The two employees were diagnosed with the condition in November 2022 following repeated exposure to vibration from working for the dealership at its body shop in Truro being regularly required to use hand tools like random-orbital sanders and reciprocating saws for car body repairs.

HSE Investigation

The HSE investigation found that the company had not put in place adequate management arrangements that included adequately assessing and monitoring the exposure of its employees to vibration. There was no suitable and sufficient risk assessment undertaken or recorded, and control measures had not been implemented despite the likelihood there was a risk of the exposure action value being exceeded.

Additionally, employees were not informed of the risks via information, instruction or training.

Despite both employees reporting the symptoms of ill health for a number of years, the company had failed to take sufficient action to reduce their exposure.

Outcome

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £204,000 and ordered to pay £8,099 in costs at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 8 May 2025.

HSE Guidance

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on vibration weblink: https://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/

Are you confident your business activities are carried out Safely?

If you are not sure: perhaps you should consider a site inspection to review your current site activities, practices and whether your Health and Safety measures are suitable and sufficient.

Sentient can assist with carrying out a site inspection and provide guidance, where appropriate, on how measures could be improved. Either talk to our team, or learn more about our health & safety services.