Understanding the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

What are the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005?

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 are a statutory regulation introduced under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in the United Kingdom (UK). Under this mandate, employers should assess the level of vibration workers are exposed to, compare it against legal Exposure Action Values (EAVs) and Exposure Limit Values (ELVs), and implement control measures, training, and health surveillance to protect workers from health risks associated with prolonged exposure to vibration.

Importance and Benefits

Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV), a medical condition resulting from long-term exposure to vibrations, is said to affect millions of workers in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), close to two million individuals could develop an incapacitating health issue due to vibration exposure, severely affecting their ability to carry out everyday tasks.

Aside from protecting employees from grave impairments, companies that strictly comply with this Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulation also gain the following:

• Improved productivity – Providing low-vibration tools and limiting exposure times maintains the physical capability of workers, leading to greater efficiency in tasks involving manual work and tool usage. It also leads to higher employee morale, resulting in a more positive attitude towards work.

• Increased cost savings – Increased equipment vibration contributes to the wear and tear of machinery. Properly maintaining and correctly using equipment increases their lifespan and ensures smoother operations. Also, a healthier workforce experiences fewer injuries and illnesses, resulting in lower absenteeism and insurance premiums.

• Reduced legal and regulatory liabilities – Companies that meet EHS standards under the Control of Vibration at Work regulations demonstrate due diligence. It also helps them avoid prosecution, accompanying legal fees, compensation claims, and lifelong reputational damage.

Vibration Risks at Work

Vibration exposure in the workplace is a serious EHS concern. Unfortunately, it often goes unnoticed until permanent damage has been experienced. Understand the following risks and how they can affect the body:

Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV)

This occurs when the worker’s hands and arms are exposed to mechanical vibration from hand-held power tools or equipment, like grinders, pneumatic drills, or jackhammers. HAVs cause several serious health issues, including the following resulting cases in 2023, as reported by the UK’s HSE:

• 215 new cases of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), causing vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal problems in the hands and arms

• 115 new cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or nerve compression in the wrist

• 120 new cases of Dupuytren’s Contracture (thickening of the skin in the palm)

Whole Body Vibration (WBV)

This happens when vibration is transmitted through a part of an equipment (e.g., seat, door, or floor) to a worker’s body. According to numerous studies, workers operating forklifts, tractors, and buses are more likely to develop the following afflictions:

• Chronic back pain (2.3 times more likely among workers exposed to WBVs)

• Fatigue and discomfort

• Increased risk of spinal disc injury

• Long-term disability, leading to reduced working capacity

Cold Weather Exacerbation

While cold weather doesn’t directly cause vibration-related illnesses, it worsens their effects. People suffering from HAVS complain of exacerbated symptoms during the winter months. These are some of them:

• Increased pain and finger blanching

• Severe circulation issues

• Longer recovery times

Chronic exposure to vibration can lead to long-term neurological damage. Ignoring early symptoms or delaying medical intervention has a huge chance of developing permanent sensory loss and persistent pain, causing mental health issues. Hence, employers must conduct proactive assessments to help prevent adverse effects.

Employer Responsibilities Per the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

Companies have a legal and moral responsibility to safeguard their employees from long-term health issues such as HAVS and WBV. The Control of Vibration at Work regulations place the duty squarely on employers to proactively handle risks. These are their core duties per the regulation:

Employer Responsibilities Per the Control of Vibration at Work Mandate

Conduct a vibration risk assessment.

Safety managers and risk assessors should thoroughly evaluate sites to determine if employees are exposed to vibration levels that could pose health issues. The following should be checked:

• Sources of vibration

• Daily exposure levels using vibration meters

• EAVs and ELVs

Eliminate or control the risk.

Site supervisors and safety managers should find ways to eliminate or reduce exposure to practicable levels. Here are some examples based on the hierarchy of controls:

• Elimination – Utilize expansion grout or hydraulic bursters to crack and break concrete during demolition instead of handheld breakers.

• Substitution – Switch to a slower-speed, higher-torque grinder with damping features instead of a standard angle grinder for cutting materials.

• Engineering Controls – Provide anti-vibration platforms or install anti-vibration handles on tools.

• Administrative Controls – Implement job rotation to ensure no worker’s exposed to high vibration levels for prolonged periods.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Offer anti-vibration gloves or vibration-dampening seat cushions for workers.

Ensure preventive maintenance and vibration monitoring.

Poorly maintained tools and machines often emit higher vibration levels. Regular maintenance is essential to minimize unnecessary vibration. Here are some must-dos:

• Set up equipment maintenance schedules.

• Replace worn-out parts, such as tool bearings and grips.

• Monitor vibration levels regularly to detect changes over time.

Deliver competency training and safety information.

Safety information and competency training equip employees to work cautiously and effectively, minimizing accidents and vibration-related illnesses. Targeted training should cover the following:

• Risks associated with vibration

• Equipment safety

• Early symptoms of HAVS and WBV and how to report them

Provide health surveillance and occupational health support.

Vibration risks persist even with effective controls. Systematic health monitoring is vital for the early detection of work-related illnesses. The mandate requires:

• regular health checks focused on vibration-related conditions;

• documentation of health surveillance outcomes for monitoring and compliance; and

• referral to occupational health services, when necessary.

Best Practices for Managing Regulatory Compliance

Organizations can significantly reduce vibration-related health hazards, demonstrate regulatory due diligence, and strengthen their overall EHS performance by following these three tried and tested approaches:

1. Develop a vibration risk management program.

Create a structured plan to manage, reduce, and monitor vibration exposure across all departments. Include the following in this program:

• Roles at risk (e.g., operators, drivers, maintenance staff, etc.) and specific vibration sources

• Roles and responsibilities of EHS personnel and supervisors

• Vibration exposure assessment procedure

• Exposure reduction controls

• Health surveillance protocols

2. Deploy appropriate PPE.

Invest in the right gear to reduce the effects of vibration and cold exposure, especially in outdoor environments. Here are some must-haves:

• Anti-vibration gloves tested to the ISO 10819 standard

• Thermal gloves and outerwear for cold-weather work

• Padded seating or seat covers for vehicle operators

• Insulated boots for cold environments

• Ear protection (if tools produce both noise and vibration)

3. Implement exposure tracking and vibration log management.

Maintain accurate records of each employee’s vibration exposure and use them for risk reviews and health surveillance. These should be meticulously tracked and recorded:

• Threshold breaches of EAV (2.5 m/s² A(8)) and ELV (5 m/s² A(8))

• Daily vibration exposure per worker

• Tool usage durations and vibration emission levels

• Maintenance logs tied to the tool ID

• Health surveillance results and follow-up