HSE People - Health and Safety Community

The EU Vibration Directive (2002/44/EC) was established to protect users of land, air and sea vehicles from the effects of vibration and shock injury. It sets out regulations for the control of health and safety risks from the exposure of workers to 'hand arm' & 'whole body' vibration in the workplace. It requires you to control the risks faced by the employee and introduce a programme of controls to eliminate or reduce their daily exposure if it exceeds the legal limits.

Up until now this has been largely ignored, but now that it is Law, many companies are facing legal action. A leading member of the UK Naval service said this week that WBV could be the next 'Asbestos' if employers keep ignoring the risk.

Have any other members come across this problem?

If you look at HSE's publications on the topic of WBV you would think that the only issue is tractors.

Diagnosis of vibration related injuires/disease is difficult and often subjective. One of the main illnesses caused by WBV is lower back pain. Since lower back pain is endemic and is part of the human condition it may be difficult to get compensation, not that will stop lawyers trying.

I expect that this problem will be dealt with through improved design of seats and cabs.

I don't think that sea going vessels come under the Health & Safety at Work Act whilst at sea.

Your conflating the risks from WBV with Asbestos is hyperbole and shows a complete lack of understanding of differences in the prevelance and severity of the disease caused by these two hazards.