How do I monitor hand-arm vibration exposure under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005?

Work out each worker's daily exposure, A(8), from the vibration magnitude of every tool they use and how long they actually hold it while it runs (trigger time), then compare the total with the exposure action value of 2.5 m/s² A(8) (100 HSE points) and the exposure limit value of 5 m/s² A(8) (400 points). You can estimate this with the HSE points system and tool timers, or measure it per worker with a wearable sensor such as HAVS Protect, which counts points live on the hand and alerts the worker and the supervisor at 100 and 400 points.

What the regulations require you to compare against

Regulation 4 of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 sets the daily exposure action value for hand-arm vibration at 2.5 m/s² and the daily exposure limit value at 5 m/s², both as an 8-hour energy-equivalent A(8). HSE expresses the same values as 100 and 400 exposure points.

Above the action value you must act to reduce exposure. The limit value must not be exceeded on any day.

Three ways to monitor exposure

Estimate: multiply each tool's vibration magnitude by its trigger time with the HSE exposure points system or our exposure calculator. It is quick, but it relies on manufacturer figures and estimated times, and must be redone whenever a tool or task changes.

Log trigger time: HSE notes that logbooks, data loggers and tool timers can be used to monitor and estimate exposure. They still multiply a time by a pre-set tool magnitude, and HSE has found that different electronic monitoring systems can vary by up to 20% on the same task.

Measure on the worker: a wearable sensor measures the vibration that reaches the hand on every tool, all day. The HAVS Protect VibrationSensor is worn on the hand under the glove, measures on three axes in line with ISO 5349 practice, and shows green, yellow (above 100 points) and red (400 points) on its lamp.

Keep the record

HAVS Protect's mobile app stores each worker's points and trigger time in the cloud, and Connected Worker gives supervisors automatic alarms at 100 and 400 points with statistics per team, tool and work task, so exposure records and follow-up actions stay in one place.

Frequently asked questions

What are the HSE exposure action and limit values for hand-arm vibration?
The exposure action value is 2.5 m/s² A(8), equal to 100 HSE points per day. The exposure limit value is 5 m/s² A(8), equal to 400 points per day.
Do I need a sensor to comply?
No. The regulations set the values; you can assess exposure from tool data and trigger time. A wearable sensor measures each worker's real exposure instead of estimating it and warns before the limits are reached.
Can I estimate exposure first?
Yes. The HAVS Protect exposure calculator turns tool vibration magnitudes and daily trigger times into HSE points and A(8) against the action and limit values.

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