Vibration is easy to overlook because it rarely causes an accident on the day. The harm builds up over months and years, in the hands of someone who uses a grinder every shift or in the back of someone who drives over a rough yard all day. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 put clear duties on employers to manage it. This guide explains what the regulations cover, the key exposure values and how to apply them in a warehouse or workshop.
What are the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005?
The regulations (SI 2005/1093) deal with two kinds of exposure. Hand-arm vibration comes from hand-held and hand-guided power tools. Whole-body vibration comes from sitting or standing on vehicles and mobile machines, or on surfaces that vibrate. They sit beneath the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and build on the risk assessment duty in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Exposure action values and limit values
The regulations set a daily exposure action value, which is the level at which the employer must act, and a daily exposure limit value, which must not be exceeded. Both are expressed as an eight-hour energy-equivalent figure, A(8).
| Type of vibration | Exposure action value | Exposure limit value |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-arm vibration | 2.5 m/s2 A(8) | 5 m/s2 A(8) |
| Whole-body vibration | 0.5 m/s2 A(8) | 1.15 m/s2 A(8) |
What employers must do
- Assess the risk. Find out which tasks and equipment expose people to vibration and for how long each day.
- Reduce exposure. Control the risk so far as is reasonably practicable, for example by choosing lower-vibration equipment, maintaining it, limiting time on the task or rotating jobs.
- Provide health surveillance. Where the risk assessment shows a risk to health, workers should be monitored so early signs can be spotted.
- Give information and training. Workers should know the risks, the signs to report and how to use equipment correctly.
Exposure must not go above the limit values. If it does, the employer must take immediate action to reduce it.
Hand-arm vibration in workshops
Grinders, sanders, impact wrenches and breakers are typical sources. Early symptoms include tingling and numbness in the fingers, and they can progress to hand-arm vibration syndrome, which can be permanent. Practical controls include picking the right tool for the job, keeping blades and discs sharp and tools serviced, and planning the work so no one person carries the whole workload. Good workholding also helps, because a part held securely needs less force. A fixed workbench with a stable surface lets the operator position the work properly, and tidy workshop storage keeps tools and spares to hand so they are maintained and returned.
Whole-body vibration in warehouses and yards
Drivers of vehicles and mobile machines can be exposed to whole-body vibration, particularly on rough or uneven surfaces. Factors to consider include the condition of the floor or yard, the speed of travel, the type of seat and suspension, and how long the driver spends on the machine. Choosing the right equipment for the task can reduce the time spent on vehicles: for short moves of palletised loads, powered pallet trucks and electric tugs are designed for the job, and our PUWER guide explains how to keep work equipment suitable and maintained.
Manual handling and vibration together
Vibration is often just one of several musculoskeletal risks on the same task. Review it alongside your manual handling assessment, and record any work-related symptoms in the accident book where appropriate.
Keeping records
Keep a written record of your vibration risk assessment, the controls you chose and any health surveillance arrangements. Review the assessment when equipment, tasks or working patterns change, or if a worker reports symptoms. The regulations do not set a fixed review interval.
Control of vibration FAQs
What are the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005?
They are the regulations (SI 2005/1093) that set out what employers must do to protect workers from risks to health and safety caused by exposure to hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration.
What is hand-arm vibration?
Vibration passing into the hands and arms from hand-held or hand-guided power tools such as grinders, sanders, breakers and impact wrenches. Long-term exposure can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
What is whole-body vibration?
Vibration passing through the seat or floor into the body, typically from driving or riding on vehicles and mobile machines over rough or uneven surfaces.
What are the exposure action and limit values?
For hand-arm vibration the daily exposure action value is 2.5 m/s2 A(8) and the limit value is 5 m/s2 A(8). For whole-body vibration they are 0.5 m/s2 A(8) and 1.15 m/s2 A(8).
What must an employer do?
Assess the risk, reduce exposure so far as is reasonably practicable, provide health surveillance where there is a risk, and give workers information and training. Exposure must not exceed the limit values.
Do the regulations only apply to power tools?
No. They also cover whole-body vibration from vehicles and mobile equipment, which matters in warehouses and yards.
Does workplace flooring affect vibration?
It can. Rough, damaged or uneven floors increase the shock passed to operators of mobile equipment, so floor condition is part of the assessment.
Where can I find official guidance?
HSE publishes guidance on hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration, including advice on assessing exposure and on health surveillance.