HSE Vibration Regulations 2005: HSE Vibration Rules

Regulatory citation: The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/1093)

What Are the Vibration Regulations?

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 protect workers from hand-arm vibration (HAV) and whole-body vibration (WBV). HAV comes from powered hand tools such as breakers, grinders and hammer drills. WBV comes from driving or riding vehicles and mobile machines over rough ground. The regulations set exposure action and limit values, and require employers to assess and control the risks.

Why Vibration Control Matters

Regular HAV exposure can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Early signs include tingling, numbness, loss of grip strength and fingers turning white. WBV is linked to back pain, especially when combined with poor posture and heavy lifting.

Core Obligations

1. Know the Exposure Values (Regulation 4)

Daily exposure is expressed as an eight-hour energy-equivalent value, A(8). For hand-arm vibration, the exposure action value (EAV) is 2.5 m/s² A(8) and the exposure limit value (ELV) is 5 m/s² A(8). For whole-body vibration, the EAV is 0.5 m/s² A(8) and the ELV is 1.15 m/s² A(8).

2. Assess the Risk (Regulation 5)

Employers must make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment where work may expose employees to vibration. Exposure can be estimated from observing work, from manufacturer and other data on likely vibration levels, and from measurement where needed. The assessment must identify who is likely to reach the EAV or ELV. Significant findings and the control measures taken or planned must be recorded, and the assessment reviewed regularly or after significant change.

3. Eliminate or Reduce Exposure (Regulation 6)

Risk must be eliminated at source or, where that is not reasonably practicable, reduced as low as reasonably practicable. Where the EAV is likely to be reached, employers need a program of organizational and technical measures. Options include different work methods, lower-vibration tools, maintenance, better workstation design, limiting time on vibrating equipment, rest breaks and clothing to keep workers warm and dry.

4. Stay Below the Limit Value (Regulation 6(4))

Employees must not be exposed above the ELV. If it is exceeded, the employer must act immediately to bring exposure below the limit, find out why it happened and change controls to prevent a repeat. Weekly averaging is allowed only in narrow cases where exposure is usually low but varies markedly.

5. Provide Health Surveillance (Regulation 7)

Health surveillance is required where the risk assessment shows a health risk or where employees are likely to be exposed at or above the EAV. Employers must keep a health record for each employee under surveillance. If a vibration-related condition is found, the employer must review the risk assessment and controls and consider moving the worker to other work.

6. Inform, Instruct and Train (Regulation 8)

Exposed employees and their representatives must receive information and training. This includes the control measures, the exposure values, the main findings of the risk assessment, how to spot and report symptoms, their entitlement to health surveillance and safe work practices.

Common Compliance Approaches

Buy and Maintain Low-Vibration Equipment

Include vibration data in purchasing decisions, and keep tools sharp and balanced. Worn tools often vibrate more.

Use Trigger-Time Limits

Calculate how long each tool can be used before reaching the EAV and ELV, and plan job rotation around those times. HSE offers an exposure calculator to help.

Example: Vibration Control in Practice

A groundworks contractor finds its laborers use hydraulic breakers for several hours a day, putting them above the HAV limit value. The company switches to a remote-controlled breaker for large jobs, buys suppressed handheld breakers for smaller work and sets daily trigger-time limits. It enrolls exposed workers in health surveillance, and one early case of numbness leads to a role change and a review of controls.

Related regulations: HSE Noise at Work Regulations, HSE PUWER, HSE Management Regulations 1999, HSE RIDDOR.

Note: These regulations apply in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland has equivalent regulations, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we have to measure vibration?

Not always. Exposure can often be estimated using manufacturer data or published values for similar tools. Measurement is needed only where reliable data is not available.

What tools typically cause problems?

HSE advises that action is likely to be needed if workers regularly use hammer-action tools for more than about 15 minutes a day, or some rotary and other tools for more than about an hour a day.

Does wearing anti-vibration gloves solve the problem?

Not on their own. Gloves help keep hands warm and dry, which supports circulation, but they should not be relied on to reduce vibration exposure.