Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Whole-body vibration (WBV)
WBV is caused by vibration from machinery passing 
into the body either through the feet of standing work-
ers or the buttocks of sitting workers. The most com-
mon ill-health affect is severe back pain which, in severe 
cases, may result in permanent injury. Other acute affects 
include reduced visual and manual control, increased 
heart rate and blood pressure. Chronic or long-term 
affects include permanent spinal damage, damage to the 
central nervous system, hearing loss and circulatory and 
digestive problems.
The most common occupations which effect WBV, 
are driving fork lift trucks, construction vehicles and 
agricultural or horticultural machinery and vehicles. 
There is growing concern throughout the European 
Union about this problem. Control measures include the 
proper use of the equipment including correct adjust-
ments of air or hydraulic pressures, seating and, in the 
case of vehicles, correct suspension, tyre pressures 
and appropriate speeds to suit the terrain. Other control 
measures include the selection of suitable equipment 
with low vibration characteristics, work rotation, good 
maintenance and fault reporting procedures.
HSE commissioned measurements of WBV on 
several machines and some of the results are shown in 
Table 15.2
Figure 15.2
Poor workstation layout may cause WRULD.

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Physical and psychological health hazards and control
253
Equipment Condition 
Vibration 

Reading 
(m/s
2
)
Road Breakers 
Typical 
12
Modern design and
5
trained 
operator
Worst tools and
20
operating 
conditions
Demolition
Modern Tools 
8
hammers Typical 
15 
Worst 
tools 
25
Hammer drills
Typical 
9
Best tools and 
6
operating conditions
Worst tools and 
25
operating 
conditions
Large angle
Modern vibration- 
4
grinders
reduced 
designs
Other 
types 
8
Small angle
Typical 
2–6
grinders
Chainsaws Typical 
6
Brush cutter or
Typical 
4
strimmer Best 
2
Sanders (orbital) 
Typical 
7–10