Occupational Health · Mandatory · Pre-Construction

HAV / Vibration Risk Assessment and Exposure Record

A risk assessment for hand-arm vibration exposure from construction tools including angle grinders, breakers, compactors, and disc cutters. Documents vibration magnitudes, daily trigger times, calculated A(8) exposure values, and the HSE exposure points system. The EAV of 2.5 m/s² triggers health surveillance; the ELV of 5.0 m/s² must not be exceeded. HAVS is irreversible.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (COVWR 2005)
Exposure Action Value (EAV)	2.5 m/s² A(8) — equivalent to 100 exposure points per day
Exposure Limit Value (ELV)	5.0 m/s² A(8) — equivalent to 400 exposure points per day
Exposure points	100 points = EAV reached. 400 points = ELV reached. Points system simplifies daily tracking.
Key principle	HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome) is irreversible — controls must prevent exposure before symptoms develop

1. HAV — The Most Common Occupational Disease in Construction

Hand-arm vibration affects hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK construction industry, making it one of the most prevalent occupational diseases in the sector. Workers who regularly use vibrating tools — angle grinders, breakers, disc cutters, plate compactors, hammer drills, and needle scalers — are at risk of developing Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Once HAVS develops, the damage is permanent and progressive. Vibration white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral nerve damage cannot be reversed. The only effective intervention is to reduce exposure before symptoms develop.

The COVWR 2005 require employers to assess the risk from hand-arm vibration, eliminate or reduce exposure so far as is reasonably practicable, provide health surveillance for workers regularly exposed above the EAV, and ensure that exposure never exceeds the ELV. The risk assessment must identify every vibrating tool and process used on site, estimate or measure the vibration magnitude, calculate daily exposure A(8) values, and determine whether the EAV or ELV is likely to be reached or exceeded.

Controls follow the hierarchy: elimination (can the task be done without a vibrating tool?), substitution (can a lower-vibration tool achieve the same result?), engineering controls (anti-vibration mounts, tool maintenance, dampened handles), administrative controls (job rotation, limiting trigger time, warm-up breaks), and finally personal protective equipment (anti-vibration gloves, though their effectiveness is limited). Supervision is essential to ensure that trigger time limits and rotation schedules are actually followed on site.

HAVS is irreversible

Controls must reduce exposure BEFORE symptoms develop, not after. Once vibration white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, or nerve damage has occurred, it cannot be reversed. Tool selection, job rotation, anti-vibration gloves, maintenance schedules, and active supervision are the key controls.

2. Key Components

The following table sets out the key components that a HAV vibration risk assessment and exposure record must address. Each element contributes to demonstrating compliance with COVWR 2005 and provides the evidence base for health surveillance decisions.

Component	Detail
Tool / process	Identification of each vibrating tool or process used on the project — including make, model, and task performed
Vibration magnitude	Vibration emission value in m/s² — from manufacturer data, HSE database, or site measurement. Actual conditions may differ from manufacturer data.
Daily trigger time	Estimated or measured daily duration of tool use in minutes — the period during which the worker's hands are actually in contact with the vibrating surface
Daily exposure A(8)	Calculated 8-hour energy-equivalent vibration exposure in m/s² A(8) — based on vibration magnitude and daily trigger time
Exposure points	Daily exposure expressed as points for simplified tracking — 100 points = EAV (2.5 m/s²), 400 points = ELV (5.0 m/s²)
EAV exceeded?	Whether the daily exposure reaches or exceeds the Exposure Action Value of 2.5 m/s² A(8) / 100 points — triggers health surveillance and additional controls
ELV exceeded?	Whether the daily exposure reaches or exceeds the Exposure Limit Value of 5.0 m/s² A(8) / 400 points — must not be exceeded under any circumstances
Controls implemented	Specific controls applied to reduce exposure — tool selection, rotation schedules, trigger time limits, maintenance regime, anti-vibration gloves, supervision arrangements
Workers exposed	Names or roles of all workers using the tool or process — each must be covered by health surveillance if exposure reaches EAV
Health surveillance	Whether health surveillance is required, arranged, and current for each exposed worker — linked to HAVS health surveillance record (Q2)
Assessor	Name and competence of the person who carried out the assessment
Review date	Date for review — or triggered by new tools, new processes, changed conditions, or health surveillance findings

3. Common Mistakes

Not assessing all vibrating tools — only the obvious ones

Employers often assess breakers and disc cutters but overlook smaller tools such as screw guns, reciprocating saws, and palm sanders. Any tool that transmits vibration to the hands must be included in the assessment. Cumulative exposure from multiple lower-vibration tools across a working day can exceed the EAV just as readily as a single high-vibration tool used for a shorter period.

Using manufacturer data without checking actual conditions

Manufacturer vibration emission data is measured under standardised test conditions that may not reflect real-world use. Worn tools, harder materials, poor maintenance, and different operating techniques can all produce vibration levels significantly higher than the declared value. Where possible, site-specific measurements should be taken to validate or adjust manufacturer data. At minimum, a correction factor should be applied.

Not updating when new tools are introduced

The risk assessment is a living document. When a new tool is introduced to site, a different make or model is substituted, or a new process requiring vibrating equipment is added, the assessment must be reviewed and updated. Failing to do so means workers may be exposed above the EAV or ELV without the required controls or health surveillance being in place.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find vibration data for specific tools?▾

The HSE maintains an online database of vibration emission data for common construction tools at hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/vibrationcalc.htm. The HSE HAV calculator allows you to enter the vibration magnitude and daily trigger time for each tool and automatically calculates the daily exposure A(8), exposure points, and whether the EAV or ELV is reached or exceeded. Manufacturer data sheets also provide declared vibration values, though these should be validated against actual site conditions.

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