The EC – Directive 2002/44/EC lays down minimum requirements for the protection of workers from risk to their health and safety arising or likely to arise from exposure to mechanical vibration. The assessment of the vibration exposure is calculated in relation to a standardised 8h daily exposure value A(8). After establishing the A(8) value, this should be compared with the exposure action- and limit-values. As the Directive lays down minimum requirements, it is also vital to check legislation in each individual Member State of interest to find out if this legislation has stricter exposure values depending on the daily Exposure Action Value (EAV) and the daily Exposure Limit Value (ELV), the employer has an obligation to take appropriate action in order to control the vibration exposure.
Hand Arm Vibration
Exposure Action Value (EAV) for Hand Arm Vibration Whenever an operator is subjected to vibration exposure A(8) exceeding the EAV at 2.5 m/s², the employer must carry out a risk assessment of the operation and introduce control measures. For more details, see Directive 2002/44/EC and Member State legislation.
Exposure Limit Value (ELV) for Hand Arm Vibration In any event, workers shall not be exposed above the ELV (5.0 m/s²). To download an employer's guide to HAV
Whole Body Vibration
Whole body vibration is caused by vibration transmitted through the seat or the feet by workplace machines and vehicles. Exposure to high levels of whole-body vibration can present risks to health and safety and are reported to cause or aggravate back injuries. The risks are greatest when the vibration magnitudes are high, the exposure durations long, frequent, and regular, and the vibration includes severe shocks or jolts. Work that involves exposure to whole-body vibration occurs commonly in off-road work, such as farming, construction and quarrying, but it can occur elsewhere, for example on the road in lorries and trucks, at sea in small fast boats and in the air in some helicopters. Whole-body vibration is not restricted to seated workers such as drivers, but may also be experienced during standing operations such as standing on a concrete crushing machine. To download an employer's guide to WBV
