G Morton May 2012
ESS Health and Safety Arrangements
Whole Body Vibration
Distribution: This document must be brought to the attention of all ESS Managers
and Employees where exposure to whole body vibration is considered a risk.
1.0
Introduction
Drivers or operators of mobile machines when driven of road can be exposed to
significant levels of whole body vibration. Whole-body vibration is defined as being:
Shaking or jolting of the human body through a supporting surface (usually a seat or
the floor), for example when driving or riding on a vehicle along an unmade road.
2.0 Legislative Requirements
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations require employers to control the risks
from whole-body vibration. This should be based on an assessment of the risk and
exposure to vibration. In most cases it is simpler to make a broad assessment of the
risk rather than try to assess exposure in detail, concentrating your main effort on
introducing controls.
Employers are required to:

Assess the vibration risk to your employees and in doing so decide if
employees are likely to be exposed to whole body vibration above the Daily
Exposure Action Value (EAV) or Daily Exposure Limit Value (ELV)
Where employees are exposed to vibration above the EAV ESS Managers must:

Introduce a programme of controls to eliminate or reduce their
daily exposure so far as is reasonably practicable;
Where employees are exposed to vibration above the ELV ESS Managers must:

take immediate action to reduce their exposure below the ELV
In both cases ESS managers must also:
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Provide information and training on health risks and controls to
employees at risk;
Consult your trade union safety representative or employee
representative about the risks and what you plan to do
Keep a record of your risk assessment and control actions
Review and revise your risk assessment regularly
G Morton May 2012
3.0
Assessing the risk
ESS Manager must assess the risk of exposure to whole body vibration taking into
consideration the following factors:
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machine or vehicle manufacturers warnings
the machines or vehicles you are using are unsuitable for the tasks for which
they are being used (check the handbook or ask the supplier)
operators and drivers using poor techniques, eg driving too fast or operating
the machine too aggressively
driving high risk mobile machines for several hours a day, high risk mobile
machines. The list of vehicles below are known to have high vibration
exposures
 construction vehicles (mining etc)
 earthmoving vehicles (dumpers etc)
 tractors when used in transportation, primary
cultivation or primary mowing etc
 driving vehicles on roadways or surfaces that are potholed,
cracked or covered in rubble
 regularly driving road-going vehicles off-road or over poorlypaved surfaces for which they are not designed
ESS Managers will also take into consideration any reports received from drivers
about back pain or other musculoskeletal disorders likely to be associated to driving.
4.0
Measuring Exposure
It is not necessary for managers to accurately measure vibration outputs using
electronic measuring equipment.
5.0
HSE Advice on Approach to Assessment of Exposure
The HSE advise managers to concentrate efforts on controlling exposure to whole
body vibration over assessment and measurement
6.0
The Assessment
ESS Managers will use an informed broad based risk assessment to identify high
risk tasks/activities within their service before going on to develop and implement
measures to control the risk.
G Morton May 2012
7.0
Controlling the risk of exposure to whole body vibration
Suitability of equipment for task: Managers will ensure equipment is in a good
state of repair and suitable for the task intended.
Purchasing policy: Managers must consider vibration information/warnings in
manufacturer’s information when procuring new equipment.
Maintenance of equipment: Equipment must be maintained according to
manufacturer’s instructions, for the purpose of managing the risk of exposure to
whole body vibration particular attention will be paid to: seat inspections, tyre
pressures and suspension
Maintenance of roads and surfaces: roads and ‘other’ surfaces will be inspected
on an ongoing basis by users and Maintenance Officers, any deterioration in roads
or surfaces will be reported as a defect to Customer Services/the Grounds
Maintenance Team, remedial action will then be taken as necessary.
Driver training, instruction and information: Driver’s licenses to drive vehicles will
be checked before being allowed to drive vehicles and then annually thereafter.
Drivers will be provided with necessary training and familiarisation training for the
vehicle being driven. Drivers will be provided with a copy of the HSE’s Driving Away
Bad Backs.
Health Surveillance: Managers will encourage drivers to report back pain and
other musculoskeletal conditions thought to be attributed to the vehicles they drive.
Managers will refer employees to the Univeristy’s Occupational Health Dept as
necessary. Note: it is important to take into consideration other duties/activities
employees may be required to carry out.
Driver training, instruction and information: Driver’s licenses to drive vehicles will
be checked before being allowed to drive vehicles and then annually therefater.
Drivers will be provided with necessary training and familiarisation training for the
vehicle being driven. A record of license check must be maintained.