What does the directive mean for employers and employees?

The employer is called upon to estimate the daily exposure to vibration of his employees and to reduce it if it exceeds a certain limit. Both the intensity of the vibrations and the operating time of the tool influence the daily exposure to vibration. The directive sets two vibration exposure (dose) thresholds, based on an 8 hour working day (A8). These are:

The EAV – Exposure Action Value of 5m/s² (A8) 
The ELV – Exposure Limit Value of 2,5m/s² (A8)

 

Note: vibration levels and exposure are normally expressed in terms of acceleration i.e. metres per second per second or m/s². 

 

If a worker is found through risk assessment to be receiving a Hand Arm Vibration dose above the EAV, the risk must be acknowledged, recorded, monitored and if practicable ways sought to reduce the exposure, however working below the EAV is not mandatory. If however a worker is found through risk assessment to be receiving a Hand Arm Vibration dose above the ELV, then immediate steps must be taken to reduce the exposure. Working above this level will not be permitted. 

 

The following graph shows the relationship between the vibration levels of power tools and the time taken to reach the two vibration exposure (dose) thresholds.