Vibration rules shake up takes effect

15/07/05

New regulations on prevention of vibration risks in the workplace came into force this month. The new rules, which deal with the control of diseases caused by vibration at work from equipment, vehicles and machines, should assist both employers and employees to take preventive action. The UK Health and Safety Executive says hand arm vibration (HAV) is a major cause of occupational ill-health and adds an estimated 5 million workers are exposed to HAV in the workplace, with 2 million exposed to levels of vibration where there are clear risks of developing disease. Each year, approximately 3,000 new claims for industrial injury disability benefit are made in relation to vibration white finger and vibration related carpal tunnel syndrome. HSE says there is a transitional period for the new exposure limit values up to 2010, which will allow in certain circumstances the use of older tools and machinery which cannot keep exposures below the new limits. The transitional period has been extended to 2014 in the case of whole-body exposures in the agriculture and forestry sectors, a delay that has been criticised by unions as 'disgraceful' The TUC has accused the Health and Safety Commission of 'watering down' the law overall so it is weaker than the European rules on which it is supposed to be based.


HSE news release.

HSE vibration webpages, including the new law.

Vibration exposure calculator.

TUC vibration webpages.


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