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New Guidance from the HSE on the Vibration Regulations – What’s changed?

The HSE has published a significant review of their guidance on the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

Part 1  of the guidance has been updated, but after that, the book is almost completely re-written and certainly re-organised. They have even changed the colour of the cover, which is now green!

I have now read through the two versions side by side, to bring you a list of the changes and how that might affect what you are doing. I thoroughly suggest you get a copy for reference, but this will be a really good start to your understanding. There is a brief overview here in this email, but other than that, I have written this into a guide, which you can download by filling in the form.

Here are the highlights, in very brief terms. As you can see, there’s quite a few of them, so this is more than just a correct and re-print

• Introduction and Regulations 1 to 4
  • Parts 2 to 7 completely changed. Has now become Parts 2 and 3 and Appendices 1 to 9
  • Transition periods now removed as the date has passed, so all the regulations apply in full!
• Risk Assessment
  • Vibration data must now be representative of the equipment and task and you must have confidence that this is the case. Do not simply rely on manufacturers data
  • Criteria now given for when measurement might be appropriate, such as for reassurance that the numbers are representative
  • Specific statement now saying workers with restriction for HAVS should avoid working in cold conditions, this is mainly for people with pre-existing HAVS.
  • Risk Assessment review period of three years has been removed with numerous factors to consider for review period, which is now at your discretion
  • Companies with less than 5 employees now should record any findings and review their assessments.
  • Risk Assessments should now record results on a job basis rather than a task basis, which may mean changing the way this is done as they are reviewed.
• Elimination or Control of Exposure
  • Lower vibration equipment is no longer referred to as ‘newer’, which removes the assumption that new equipment is always better.
• Health Surveillance
  • The requirement for clinical assessments to be made by a doctor has been removed and replaced with ‘occupational health professional’
• Part 2 – Management and Control
  • Completely re-written with better flow and more logical steps
  • Now provides a really good ‘template’ for risk your assessments.
  • Suggestion that exposures below 1m/s² do not lead to injury – safe level?
  • Tool-timers (and watches) do not need to be used continuously, but simply long enough to collect data to assess risk
• Part 3 – Health Surveillance
  • Employers section now more detailed and in-line with guidance for occupational health professionals
• Appendix 3 Sources of Vibration Magnitude Data
  • There is now a table of expected levels for different equipment published by the HSE although they recommend this is only used for initial assessment.
  • Manufacturers given levels should only be used for comparing one tool with another unless you are sure they are representative.
• Appendix 4 – Anti-Vibration Gloves
  • This is a completely new section and essentially states that gloves do not make for effective PPE
• Appendix 7 – Training and competence
  • There is no longer a training syllabus for occupational health professionals as this is dealt with through professional qualifications.

Please feel free to download my full analysis of the changes by filling in the form.

And if you want any advice on how to tackle the regulations in your business, then please give us a call and ask any of the team. Castle Group have so many ways in which we can help, whether that be a free seminar or helping you get some measurements. The number is 01723 584250