Vibration Risk Assessment

Management Unit: Location: (Site/ Building/ Room)

Assessment Date: Review Date:

Assessors Name: Job Title:

Task/ Activity: Using and handling vibrating tools and equipment

Risk Evaluation Risk

Existing controls in place to reduce risk. Rating
Hazard description Check that these controls are actually Action needed to reduce risks Consequence Likelihood
Overall Low,
working risk Medium
(1 – 3) (1 – 3)
(C x L) or High
Inadequate information, Thereafter toolbox talks can be
All operatives and supervisors to be
instruction and training provided as ongoing refresher
provided with hand arm and whole 2 1 4 M
training
body vibration training.

Vulnerable employees Short self-assessment questionnaire Individual risk assessments to be

e.g. young persons, new issued to screen employees who will be carried out by line manager in
and expectant mothers, working with vibration as part of the conjunction with OH and SEPS for
staff with disabilities or Occupational Health program vulnerable employees e.g. Staff
health conditions that with pre-existing medical
might increase risk. conditions such as Reynolds 3 2 6 H
syndrome, heart disease, high
blood pressure, diabetes,
pregnancy, arthritis, back/ limb
injuries.
Pre employment screening also to
be carried out in the relevant units.

1
 Risk Evaluation Risk
Existing controls in place to reduce risk. Rating
Hazard description Check that these controls are actually Action needed to reduce risks Consequence Likelihood
Overall Low,
working risk Medium
(1 – 3) (1 – 3)
(C x L) or High
Poor health surveillance Annual screening carried out by On referral, all at risk employees
Occupational Health Service of to undergo further medical
employees assessed by local unit to be assessment and fitness to work 1 1 1 L
at risk. assessment by physician
Further assessment also carried out by
SEPS to identify risk groups.
Poorly maintained Inventory of work equipment kept by Maintenance programme is in
equipment the garage. place for high use tools that cause
Equipment is checked before use, high hand arm vibration (HAV) 2 2 4 M
vibration levels and faults are reported
and fixed.

Unsuitable equipment Supervisors to ensure that the
equipment provided is suitable for the
intended use.
When selecting new equipment
preference is given to equipment with
low vibration levels.
Compare vibration data from
different manufacturers prior to
purchasing products.
2 2 4 M
Create equipment replacement
plan, prioritising according to
vibration levels and usage.

HAV levels have been measured for High risk equipment to be colour
2 1 2 L
Monitoring rotary and percussive equipment coded and labelled and staff
informed.
Restrictions in place to limit duration Workers exposure to be regularly
Excessive vibration and frequency of using high vibration reviewed and discussed at team
Exposure equipment. meetings and alternative ways of
Job rotation used to limit exposure of working developed 2 1 2 L
individual workers and provide variety Vibration exposure to be
of movement to work activities monitored by supervisors via log
Outdoor workers provided with clothing sheets.
appropriate to weather including gloves