Hand-arm vibration or HAV is a widespread hazard for employees in many industries and occupations. This second edition of L140 outlines what an employer's duties are under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 as they relate specifically to HAV. The layout of the revision has been modified to emphasise control of exposure. There are minor changes to the legislation, but no changes to HSE's policy on the control of hand-arm vibration.
The guidance analyses the employer's legal obligations to control risks to employees' health and safety from exposure to HAV and to prevent HAV-related diseases, such as hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore, it covers the management and control of the risks from HAV and how to protect employees, with practical guidance on risk assessments, estimating vibration exposure and arranging health surveillance.
A revised Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC came into force across Europe on29 December 2009, implemented in the UK as the Supply of Machinery (Safety)Regulations (SMR) 2008.4,5,6 Harmonised standards supplementing and elaboratingon the requirements of this Directive have improved the information about vibrationbeing supplied with powered hand tools.
The guidance in this book will continue to help dutyholders to reduce risksfrom vibration to the lowest level reasonably practicable. Further information isavailable on the vibration pages of HSE's website: www.hse.gov.uk/vibration.