Health & Safety Risk Management System

H13 - Vibration at Work

Vibration in the workplace affects the body in two distinct ways therefore it is classified as follows:

• Hand-arm vibration
• Whole body vibration.

Regular exposure to hand-arm vibration can cause a range of conditions known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) which includes vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Around five million workers are exposed to hand-arm vibration in the workplace. Two million of these workers are exposed to levels of vibration where there are clear risks of developing a condition.

Hand-arm vibration arises from the use of hand-held power tools and is the cause of significant ill health (ie painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves, joints and muscles of the hands and arms).

Whole body vibration is caused by habitually driving particular vehicles, and can cause back pain or worsen existing back problems.

The Vibration Procedure covers the effects and control of vibration in the workplace. It gives guidance on undertaking a workplace risk assessment, and how employees can reduce exposure to vibration.