Managing Vibration in the Workplace

Vibration exposure in the workplace is a serious concern that can cause damage to the nervous and circulatory systems, back pain, and lead to long-term health issues. To protect workers and members of the public, employers should comply with the vibration regulations and to practical action to manage and reduce the risks.

Understanding the Vibration Risks

Workers typically experience two types of vibration:

• Hand-arm vibration (HAV) occurs when using power tools or handling small objects being worked on by hand-fed machines.

• Whole-body vibration (WBV) can happen with jolting or shaking through a supporting surface, such as a seat or the floor, often affecting workers who drive vehicles or operate heavy machinery.

What is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)?

Hand-arm vibration syndrome, often abbreviated to HAVS, is a condition caused by frequent and regular hand-arm vibration exposure. It affects the nerves, circulation and muscles in the fingers, hands and arms and can cause:

1. Tingling or numbness in the fingers as a result of nerve damage.

2. Aching or painful sensations in the wrist and arms caused by muscle damage.

3. Fingers turn white (blanching) as a result of damage to the blood vessels. HAVS is often known as 'vibration white finger' because of this symptom.

4. Reduced grip strength, caused by nerve and muscle damage.

HAVS develops over years and is hard to detect early. In its early stages, its symptoms can come and go. Also, attacks often occur when the hands or arms are exposed to cold or damp conditions, as opposed to when using vibrating tools.

It is important to know these symptoms because they will allow you to spot HAVS in the early stages and put measures in place to prevent the symptoms from becoming more severe and permanent.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?

As well as HAVS, regular and prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This is a swelling of the wrist that compresses the nerves within it. It can cause:

1. A weak thumb or difficulty gripping.

2. An aching or painful sensation in your hand or arm.

3. Tingling or numbness in the upper arm or hand.

These symptoms usually start slowly and will appear intermittently, becoming worse at night. Unlike HAVS, it is reversible and will usually go away if the source of the problem is removed. However, persistent cases can require steroid injections or even surgery if these are unsuccessful.

Your Responsibility as an Employer

The management of health risks from vibration is essential, and compliance with the requirements of the regulations helps protect workers and even members of the public who may be affected by workplace vibration.

The European Physical Agents Directive, which informs UK safety regulations, sets out guidelines on how to minimise exposure and protect workers.

Employers must take proactive steps, including:

• Conducting a risk assessment to identify potential hazards.

• Implementing organisational measures to reduce exposure.

• Where possible, eliminate or reduce vibration risks at the source.

• Providing training and health surveillance to protect workers.

Ignoring these regulations—such as failing to replace older tools or not following common sense measures—can increase risks and lead to legal consequences.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides free leaflets and guidance to help businesses comply with the full text of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, which align with the European Union Directive.

What are the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005?

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to eliminate or reduce risks to health and safety from vibration at work.

The regulations apply where work activities expose people at work to vibration-related health and safety risks. The regulations cover both employees and other workers affected by the work activities.

The regulations require employers to:

1. Assess the risks.

2. Make sure that risks from vibration are controlled.

3. Provide information, instruction, and training to employees on the risks and actions being taken to control the risk.

4. Provide suitable health surveillance.

To help you comply with these regulations, the HSE has produced some helpful guidance on HAV and WBV.

What are vibration exposure limits?

Employers have a responsibility to manage exposure to vibration in the workplace, and the extent to which they must do so varies depending on the level of risk it poses. The regulations state two levels of exposure that dictate the measures that need to be in place:

1. The daily exposure limit value (ELV)

2. The daily exposure action value (EAV)

The daily ELV is the maximum amount of vibration an employee may be exposed to on any single day. The daily EAV is the level of daily exposure that an employee may experience before an employer is required to take certain actions to reduce exposure.

How to protect your workforce

Understanding exposure limits (ELV and EAV) is crucial in preventing serious conditions like HAVS and CTS.

To make it easier, we’ve created a simple exposure calculator to help you determine daily limits and necessary actions—you can access it here.

For a further understanding of vibration risks, exposure limits, and employer responsibilities, consider our Awareness Training Course. This course includes practical examples, risk assessment guidance, and compliance strategies to help you meet safety regulations with confidence.