HSE publishes new guidance on Whole Body Vibration

E149:05 30 November 2005

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published further guidance on Whole Body Vibration (WBV). The guide, "Whole Body Vibration: The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005" gives advice to employers of what can be done to reduce and control the risks of WBV under the Control of Vibration Work Act 2005 which came into being earlier this year.

The new guidance will be helpful to those who operate off-road machinery and construction vehicles as well as industries where drivers can be exposed to shocks and jolts while travelling over rough ground like, mining and quarrying.

The book is a detailed, plain language guide of the regulations as they apply to whole-body vibration together with chapters, giving practical advice on a number of issues like: how to do risk assessments, estimating vibration exposure and arranging health surveillance.

Mike Shepherd, head of HSE's Noise and Vibration Programme said, "HSE has been working closely with industry over the past 4 years to carry out research, which will help identify what the levels of whole-body vibration are in agriculture, mining and construction. The research is to identify the most effective ways of reducing excessive vibration exposures."

"Employers looking for more in-depth explanations of the regulations and how to manage the risks effectively will find the new guidance book very helpful. However for many, the guidance in the free leaflet on whole body vibration will provide all they need to understand and comply with the Regulations."

Notes to editors

1. The new guidance book is titled "Whole-body Vibration" and complements free leaflets and pocket cards which were published on 27 June this year and a priced book on hand-arm vibration (also covered by the new Regulations) which was published on 27 September.

2. The research reports: "Whole-body vibration in agricultural vehicles - Research Report 321" "Evaluation of whole-body vibration exposure in British Industry -Research Report 377", "Whole-body vibration on construction, mining and quarrying machines - Research Report 400" can be obtained from HSE Books or can be downloaded free from www.hse.gov.uk/vibration.

3. HSE has been running a series of roadshows around the UK in collaboration with the EEF - the Manufacturers' Organisation, to explain the new Regulations and inform employers what needs to be done. These have been very popular with over 1200 tickets sold. The last roadshow will be held in the EEF's London headquarters on 9 December and tickets are still available.

Copies of Whole-body Vibration (L141), ISBN 0 7176 6126 1, price £10.95, are available from HSE Books, http://books.hse.gov.uk/

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