Who is affected by the directive?

The directive is primarily aimed at employers of people who, in the course of their work, hold objects or work equipment that transmit vibration into the hand and arm. The people most at risk are those who work regularly with high vibration tools such as grinders and breakers etc. The directive also encourages manufacturers of work equipment, including power tools, to reduce through modern design and technology the level of vibration that their products produce as far as is practicable.