RR967 - The effectiveness of BS EN ISO 28927-9:2009 concerning the vibration emission of scaling hammers and needle scalers

The work in this report forms part of a programme of work to provide HSE with information regarding: the likelihood that use of a tool's vibration emission value, declared according to the standard test code for selection between tools on the basis of vibration (for example, as part of a purchasing policy for 'low vibration' tools), will result in minimised vibration exposures for the end user; and the limitations of the declared vibration emission value measured according to the standard test code, for use in a vibration exposure assessment. Previous reports have been published as RR884 and RR894.

For needle scalers, chisel scalers and scabblers the work had two main aims:

  • to assess the standard test defined in BS EN ISO 28927-9:2009 for usability and where possible, for reproducibility; and
  • to compare vibration emission values with vibration magnitudes measured under real operating conditions

The standard test in BS EN ISO 28927-9:2009 has been shown to be repeatable and reproducible. It is also capable of identifying high and low vibration machines, so that if an employer uses the emission value as the basis for their purchasing decision, they are likely to be able to select machines which are low vibration during conditions of typical use.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

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Updated 2021-04-26