Hand Arm Vibration Assessment: A Complete Guide for UK Employers

What Is a Hand Arm Vibration Assessment?

A hand arm vibration assessment evaluates whether workers are at risk from using vibrating tools and determines what controls are needed. Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, every UK employer whose workers use vibrating hand tools must carry out this assessment.

The assessment isn't a one-off exercise. It's an ongoing process that includes identifying who is exposed, calculating their exposure levels, introducing controls, monitoring health, and reviewing the whole system regularly.

This guide covers the full assessment cycle — from initial identification through to ongoing monitoring and review.

The Assessment Process: End to End

Phase 1: Identify Exposure

Start with a simple question: does anyone on your team regularly use vibrating hand tools?

If yes, you need an assessment. "Regularly" doesn't mean daily — a worker who uses a breaker one day a week still accumulates exposure that needs to be managed.

What to record:

• Every worker who uses vibrating tools (including agency, part-time, and subcontractor workers you direct)
• Every vibrating tool on site (see HAVS Register guide for what to record)
• Typical tasks and durations for each worker

Phase 2: Assess the Risk

This is where you calculate whether exposure levels are above the EAV (100 points / 2.5 m/s² A(8)) or approaching the ELV (400 points / 5 m/s² A(8)).

For each worker:

1. List every vibrating tool they use
2. Note the vibration magnitude for each tool (from manufacturer data or the HSE vibration database)
3. Estimate actual trigger time per tool per shift
4. Calculate daily exposure using the points method or A(8) formula

See our step-by-step calculation guide for the detailed method, or use the free HAVS Exposure Calculator.

Typical vs. worst case: Assess typical daily exposure, not the absolute maximum or minimum. If a groundworker uses a breaker for 30-60 minutes depending on the job, assess based on a representative figure — not the one day per month they used it for 10 minutes.

Phase 3: Introduce Controls

Based on the exposure levels from Phase 2, introduce controls proportionate to the risk. See our HAVS Control Measures guide for the full hierarchy:

• Below EAV: General duty to reduce exposure as far as reasonably practicable
• At or above EAV: Specific programme of controls — tool substitution, rotation, time limits, health surveillance, training
• At or above ELV: Immediate action required — stop exposure, investigate, prevent recurrence

Phase 4: Health Surveillance

Health surveillance is required for any worker whose exposure regularly reaches or exceeds the EAV, or who is at risk of developing HAVS for any other reason.

The tier system:

Tier	What it involves	Who does it	When
Tier 1	Initial screening questionnaire	Worker (self-assessment)	Before starting work with vibrating tools
Tier 2	Annual questionnaire	Trained person (supervisor, H&S coordinator)	Annually for exposed workers
Tier 3	Standardised clinical assessment	Occupational health nurse or technician	When Tier 1/2 indicates possible symptoms
Tier 4	Full clinical assessment	Doctor (occupational health physician)	When Tier 3 confirms symptoms or for complex cases
Tier 5	Diagnosis and management	Specialist	When formal diagnosis is needed

Key points:

• Tier 1 is completed before the worker starts using vibrating tools — this is the baseline
• Tier 2 is annual — set calendar reminders, don't rely on memory
• If a worker reports tingling, numbness, white finger episodes, or loss of grip, escalate to Tier 3 regardless of scheduled timing
• Health surveillance records must be kept for 40 years from the date of the last entry

Phase 5: Ongoing Monitoring and Review

The assessment isn't finished when you've filled in the forms. You must review it when:

• New tools are introduced or old tools are replaced
• Work patterns change (different tasks, longer or shorter shifts)
• A worker reports HAVS symptoms
• Health surveillance identifies a problem
• HSE issues new guidance
• At least annually, even if nothing appears to have changed

Common Assessment Mistakes

Assessing once and filing it. The assessment is a living document. If it hasn't been updated in the last 12 months, it's overdue.

Using manufacturer data without question. Manufacturer vibration values are measured under standardised test conditions. Real-world values are often higher — especially for older, worn tools. The HSE database provides in-use values that may be more realistic.

Ignoring low-vibration tools. Tools with magnitudes below 2.5 m/s² still contribute to total daily exposure. A worker using three low-vibration tools for extended periods can exceed the EAV.

No health surveillance for EAV-exposed workers. Health surveillance isn't optional once exposure reaches the EAV. Annual Tier 2 screening is the minimum. Many small contractors skip this entirely — it's one of the most common enforcement findings.

Not recording actions taken. When the EAV is reached and you rotate a worker off vibrating tools, record it. When the risk assessment leads to buying lower-vibration equipment, record it. The records prove you're actively managing the risk.

Making It Practical for Small Firms

A 6-person groundworks crew doesn't need an enterprise H&S system. You need:

1. A tool register — list every vibrating tool with its magnitude. Update when tools change.
2. Daily exposure logs — who used what, for how long, and the calculated points. The HAVS Log Sheet Template gives you a printable starting point.
3. Annual Tier 2 screening — a 10-question self-assessment form for each exposed worker. Available free from HSE.
4. A written risk assessment — follow our HAVS Risk Assessment guide for the structure.
5. A system that persists — whatever format you choose, it needs to work next month and next year, not just this week.

Sources

• The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/1093)
• HSE — Hand-arm vibration: Assess the risks
• HSE — Hand-arm vibration: Protect your workers