Elimination or control of exposure to vibration at the workplace
6.—(1) The employer shall ensure that risk from the exposure of his employees to vibration is either eliminated at source or, where this is not reasonably practicable, reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risk at source pursuant to paragraph (1) and an exposure action value is likely to be reached or exceeded, the employer shall reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable by establishing and implementing a programme of organisational and technical measures which is appropriate to the activity.
(3) The measures taken by the employer in compliance with paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be based on the general principles of prevention set out in Schedule 1 to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999(1) and shall include consideration of –
(a)other working methods which eliminate or reduce exposure to vibration;
(b)choice of work equipment of appropriate ergonomic design which, taking account of the work to be done, produces the least possible vibration;
(c)the provision of auxiliary equipment which reduces the risk of injuries caused by vibration;
(d)appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, the workplace and workplace systems;
(e)the design and layout of workplaces, work stations and rest facilities;
(f)suitable and sufficient information and training for employees, such that work equipment may be used correctly and safely, in order to minimise their exposure to vibration;
(g)limitation of the duration and magnitude of exposure to vibration;
(h)appropriate work schedules with adequate rest periods; and
(i)the provision of clothing to protect employees from cold and damp.
(4) Subject to regulation 3(2) and (3) and paragraph (5), the employer shall–
(a)ensure that his employees are not exposed to vibration above an exposure limit value; or
(b)if an exposure limit value is exceeded, he shall forthwith–
(i)reduce exposure to vibration to below the limit value;
(ii)identify the reason for that limit being exceeded; and
(iii)modify the measures taken in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) to prevent it being exceeded again.
(5) Paragraph (4) shall not apply where the exposure of an employee to vibration is usually below the exposure action value but varies markedly from time to time and may occasionally exceed the exposure limit value, provided that–
(a)any exposure to vibration averaged over one week is less than the exposure limit value;
(b)there is evidence to show that the risk from the actual pattern of exposure is less than the corresponding risk from constant exposure at the exposure limit value;
(c)risk is reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable, taking into account the special circumstances; and
(d)the employees concerned are subject to increased health surveillance, where such surveillance is appropriate within the meaning of regulation 7(2),
and exposure within the meaning of this paragraph shall be ascertained on the basis set out in Schedule 1 Part II for hand-arm vibration and Schedule 2 Part II for whole-body vibration.
(6) The employer shall adapt any measure taken in compliance with the requirements of this regulation to take account of any employee or group of employees whose health is likely to be particularly at risk from vibration.
S.I. 1999/3242, as amended by S.I. 2003/2457.