Policy Owner Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Approved By: Health, Safety and Welfare Committee
Date Approved:
Next Review Date:
Version Number:
Applicable Statutory, Legal or
National Best Practice
Requirements
05/06/2008
09/06/2017
1.1
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations
2005
Equality Impact Assessment
Completion Date:
This document can only be considered valid when viewed via the University’s intranet. If this document is printed into hard copy or saved to another location you must check that the version number on your copy matches that of the one online.
Approved documents are valid for use after their approval date and remain in force beyond any expiry of their review date until a new version is available.

Version
Date Reviewed By Revision Details
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

1.
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 4
2.
Vibration Management Programme .......................................................................... 4
a) Identification of potential equipment and operations ............................................. 5 b) Assessment of risks for equipment and operations............................................... 5
c) Training of managers, supervisors and operators ................................................. 9
d) Implementation of a Risk Reduction Programme ................................................ 10
e) Implementation of a Vibration Purchasing Policy ................................................ 11 f) Health Surveillance Programme ......................................................................... 11 g) Audit Programme ................................................................................................ 11 h) Exposure Times / Job Rotation ........................................................................... 11
3.
Ratification .............................................................................................................. 12
Appendix 1 ......................................................................................................................... a) Hand-Arm Vibration Risk Assessment Form ....................................................... 13
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

The Vibration at Work Regulations require that vibration exposure at work is managed for those employees who are likely to be exposed to vibration levels above the daily exposure action value (EAV). However, the same principles shall be applied to all work involving vibrating equipment or tools.
If it is identified that employees are or are likely to be exposed above the EAV then a vibration management programme shall be introduced to eliminate risk, or reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. This group of employees shall also be provided with health surveillance if they are regularly or infrequently exposed above the action value or otherwise continue to be at risk.
Under no circumstances shall employees be exposed above the daily exposure limit value (ELV) during normal working conditions. As a general principle daily exposure should be reduced below 300 points per day.
A vibration management programme consists of the following elements which are further described below:

Identification of potential hazardous tools and operations.

Assessment of risks for equipment and operations.

Training for managers, supervisors and operators.

Implementation of a risk reduction programme.

Implementation of a vibration purchasing policy.

Health Surveillance programme.

Audit programme.

Exposure times / job rotation.
All of these elements shall be considered and implemented for all vibrating equipment and operations.
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

a) Identification of potential equipment and operations
The first stage within the programme is to list all equipment types, models, manufacturers and the jobs for which they are used. This will also identify the individuals or groups of individuals who are exposed to vibration. b) Assessment of risks for equipment and operations
Individual items of equipment shall be assessed and the results recorded on a hand-arm vibration risk assessment form. The risk assessment shall follow the format of the hand-
arm vibration risk assessment form as displayed in appendix 1 . Where there are a
significant number of pieces of equipment or tools of the same type, then a representative sample shall be assessed.
The vibration magnitude m/s 2 rms or sometimes referred to as the vector sum will be measured on request by Health and Safety Services using a handheld vibration meter.
This is a value representative of the combined vibration in the x, y and z axes over a short period of time. This is not the daily exposure.
The daily exposure considers the vector sum but also requires an estimate of the in-use
“exposure duration” during an 8 hour working day. The exposure duration is sometimes referred to as “trigger time”.
On introduction of the vector sum and trigger time into the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) vibration calculator, located at www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/calculator.htm
, the other empty fields will be automatically calculated for use in the risk assessment.
Example 1
Entering the following data into the HSE vibration calculator as in Table 1 (on following page), will automatically generate the results in Table 2 :
Vibration magnitude of 4.2 m/s 2
Exposu re duration or “trigger time” of 3 hours 30 minutes
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

Table 1
Vibration magnitude per hour
Exposure points per hour
Time to reach EAV
2.5 m/s 2 A(8)
Hours
Minutes
Time to reach ELV
5 m/s 2 A(8)
Hours
Minutes
Hours
Exposure duration
Minutes
Partial exposure m/s 2 A(8)
Partial exposure points
Daily exposure m/s 2 A(8)
Total exposure points
Tool 1
4.2
3
30
Tool 2 Tool 3 Tool 4
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

Table 2
Vibration magnitude per hour
Exposure points per hour
Time to reach EAV
2.5 m/s 2 A(8)
Hours
Minutes
Time to reach ELV
5 m/s 2 A(8)
Hours
Minutes
Hours
Exposure duration
Minutes
Partial exposure m/s 2 A(8)
Partial exposure points
Daily exposure m/s 2 A(8)
Total exposure points
Tool 1
4.2
20
3
30
2.8
35
2
50
11
124
2.8
124
Tool 2 Tool 3 Tool 4
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

On examination of the data in table 2 it is identified that an operator using this one piece of equipment during an 8 hour working day will exceed the exposure action value (EAV) of 2.5.m/s 2 after a trigger time of 2 hours 50 minutes. This requires the risk assessor and
/ or manager to consider options to reduce exposure below the EAV by reducing exposure time or choosing an alternative piece of equipment with a lower vibration magnitude.
The other value to consider, if there is a deviation above the EAV, is the “Time to Reach
ELV”. This is the time which must not be exceeded under normal working conditions.
The trigger time of 3 hours 30 minutes indicates that the vibration exposure is below the
ELV, but should be reduced where possible to below the EAV.
The HSE calculator also displays an “exposure points per hour” value which can be easily used by the manager to calculate expected exposure and for the operator to track ongoing exposure. Points per hour are simply added together. For example, 2 hours trigger time exposure to equipment generating 35 points per hour would result in 70 points. The equivalent EAV is 100 points per 8 hour working day. Similarly the ELV is
400 points per 8 hour working day.
As a control measure, all equipment should be marked with labels indicating exposure points per hour. Where equipment is used for a number of minutes, rather than hours, it may be appropriate to label the equipment with points per 10 minutes, or points per minute.
In all cases, the number of calculated points per hour should be rounded up to the nearest 5 points to allow easy addition. The points scale being 25, 30, 35, 40, etc. For example, 41 points should be rounded up to 45 points for label purposes.
The points system is useful for operators using a number of different tools during the day. It allows the exposure points to be added during the day to ensure that the exposure action value is not exceeded. This is demonstrated in the example below.
Example 2
2 pieces of equipment are used by one operator in the day. Using the points system the daily exposure can be calculated as the tasks are performed.
Task one requires the operator to use equipment 1 which generates 35 points per hour.
He uses this equipment for a trigger time of 2 hours. The number of points generated =
70 points. This value is below the daily exposure action value of 100 points.
The operator then moves on to a different task and piece of equipment which is rated at
100 points per hour. He uses this for 1 hour, generating 100 points for the task.
The operator is then required to use a third piece of equipment with a rating of 75 points per hour. As the operator has already accumulated 170 points from previous tasks, the operator is working above the exposure action value of 100 points and must not exceed
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

the University limit value of 300 points. Once the operator is approaching 300 points the operator is not allowed to use the vibrating equipment for the remainder of the day.
At the end of the risk assessment process it should be possible to categorise the level of risk from the tool to the operator(s). The risk assessment will therefore indicate whether the risk to the operator(s) is:
1. High
– Above the Exposure Limit Value (ELV), >400 points.
2. Medium – Above the Exposure Action Value (ELV), 100 – 400 points.
3. Low – Below the Exposure Action Value (EAV), <100 points. c) Training of managers, supervisors and operators
Generic training will be provided by Health and Safety Services for all managers, supervisors and operators who use vibrating equipment or tools at work. Specific training on the use of equipment will be the responsibility of the manager or supervisor.
Training will include information on:

The effects of hand-arm vibration.

Sources of hand-arm vibration.

Whether employees are at risk, and if so whether the risk is high (above the
ELV), medium (above the EAV) or low (below the EAV).

The risk factors (e.g. levels of vibration, daily exposure duration, regularity of exposure over weeks, months and years).

The need for health surveillance, how it can help operators remain fit for work, how it will be provided, how the results will be used and the confidentiality of the results.

Ways to minimise risk including:

Changes to working practices to reduce vibration exposure.

Correct selection, use and maintenance of equipment.

Correct techniques for equipment use, how to reduce grip force, etc.

Maintenance of good blood circulation at work by keeping warm and massaging fingers and, if possible, cutting down on smoking.
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

d) Implementation of a Risk Reduction Programme
There are a number of basic methods which can help to reduce vibration exposure and risk. These are:

Elimination of vibrating tools or equipment by introducing mechanised equipment or alternative vibration free equipment.

Reduction of vibration exposures by modifying existing methods of work.

Replacement of old or worn power tools with suitable modern, efficient, ergonomic, vibration reduced types.

Selection of appropriate consumables which are, for example, better balanced and fitted, and they are replaced when required.

Provision of information, instruction and training on the safe use of tools and equipment, and the provision of adequate supervision.

Maintenance of tools and equipment and the replacement of consumables, as recommended by the manufacturer.

Minimisation of forces needed to operate and control the tools through the use of, for example, tensioners, balancers, jigs, fixtures, etc.

Reduction of exposure time, for example, by job rotation.
Other factors include:

The wearing of thermal or waterproof gloves to keep the hands dry and warm when working outside. There are a number of manufacturers who produce gloves to reduce vibration levels. Unfortunately these are not effective at normal vibration frequencies and should not be relied upon.

Ergonomics of the job.

Operating conditions which cause different loads on the engine / motor.

A good preventative maintenance programme or regular maintenance of equipment will reduce the effects of worn bearings, damaged anti vibration mountings, etc. on vibration levels. Poorly maintained equipment will generally produce higher vibration levels.

Engineering modifications. These include retro-fitting of vibration reduction measures to reduce vibration levels. An example of this would be to mount a hand held drill in a bench mounted stand and operate the drill like a pillar drill.
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

e) Implementation of a Vibration Purchasing Policy
All new or existing equipment shall be purchased or assessed for suitability in-line with the Vibration Purchasing Policy to ensure that the most suitable modern, efficient, ergonomic, vibration reduced type is purchased or used. f) Health Surveillance Programme
Where the 8 hour, A(8) exposure is likely to be, or is, above the exposure action value of
2.5 m/s 2 or 100 points, then health surveillance shall be organised for the identified operators through Occupational Health. g) Audit Programme
To ensure that operators are working within the constraints of the vibration management programme it is essential for the manager or supervisor to monitor the operator’s exposure. This should be conducted in a number of ways. These are:

Typical trigger times should be monitored by the supervisor or manager whilst in the presence of the operator to ensure that the previously determined trigger time is not exceeded.

Operators who regularly use vibrating equipment for a significant period of their working day should complete a job card, or similar, to record the daily exposure points. The card should then be passed to their supervisor or manager for monitoring purposes. This will indicate whether the operator is close to, or exceeding an action or limit value set by the manager, allowing a re-evaluation of the work load or equipment. The regular assessment of the points scored daily will determine the overall risk to the operator. Level of risk is defined as:

High (>400 points).

Medium (100 – 400 points).

Low (<100 points).

A periodic independent inspection of the cards and operating system should be conducted by the School or Department to ensure that internal standards are being met. An inspection of the monitoring system will be conducted by Health and Safety Services during planned compliance audits. h) Exposure Times / Job Rotation
Exposure times shall be reviewed and / or re-calculated initially on a monthly basis and three monthly thereafter to determine whether exposure times are consistent with current practice. This will determine whether certain tasks should be shared to reduce exposure to one or more operators.
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

This document was prepared by Health and Safety Services and approved by Health and Safety Committee on 5 June 2008.
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

a) Hand-Arm Vibration Risk Assessment Form
Note: This form is intended to be printed off and completed.
Location: Assessment Number:
Equipment (Make, model & type):
Activity:
Operators at risk:
Vibration magnitude m/s 2 rms
Exposure points per hour
Hazard Data
Daily Exposure Time
(Trigger Time)
Hours Minutes
Daily
Exposure
Points
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

Daily Risk Rating
High Risk (> 400 Points. Above Daily Exposure Limit Value)
Medium Risk (100
– 400 Points. Above Daily Exposure Action Value)
Low Risk (<100 Points. Below Daily Exposure Action Value)
Control measures in place:
PPE Requirements:
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08

Assessment carried out by :
(Include full name)
Date of assessment:
Date of re-assessment:
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HSW Team 01274 236057 Guidance on the Management of Vibration
Exposure, Version 1.1, 05/06/08