Hand-Arm Vibration Exposure Explained (UK)

This guide explains hand-arm vibration in plain English so employers, supervisors, and workers can understand the risk, the legal duties, and how to use the HAVS calculator to support a sensible risk assessment.

What HAV and HAVS mean

Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is vibration transmitted into the operator's hands and arms from hand-held, hand-guided, or hand-fed powered tools — drills, grinders, breakers, chainsaws, needle scalers, and more.

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is the permanent, disabling condition that can develop from long-term HAV exposure. It includes vibration white finger, nerve damage, reduced grip strength, and pain. HAVS is preventable but not curable.

EAV and ELV explained

Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005:

• Exposure Action Value (EAV) = 2.5 m/s² A(8) = 100 exposure points. Above this, action must be taken to reduce exposure, provide information and training, and consider health surveillance.
• Exposure Limit Value (ELV) = 5.0 m/s² A(8) = 400 exposure points. Daily exposure must not exceed this.

How the calculation works

For each tool used in a day:

• Points per hour = (magnitude / 2.5)² × 100 / 8
• Partial A(8) = magnitude × √(trigger time in hours / 8)
• Partial points = (magnitude / 2.5)² × (trigger time / 8) × 100

Daily A(8) is the square root of the sum of partial A(8) values squared. Daily points is the sum of partial points across all tools.

What counts as trigger time

Trigger time is hands-on time the tool is actively creating vibration in the operator's hands. It does not include setup, walking, talking, rest breaks, or waiting. Accurate trigger time is critical — overestimating it gives an overly cautious A(8); underestimating it hides real risk.

Employer legal duties

Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, employers must:

• assess the risk from vibration
• reduce exposure as low as reasonably practicable
• ensure the ELV is not exceeded
• provide information and training to employees
• provide health surveillance where there is a risk to health
• keep records of risk assessments and health surveillance
• review assessments when work or equipment changes

Health surveillance and symptoms

Where there is a likely risk of HAVS — typically at or above the EAV — health surveillance must be provided. Early symptoms include numbness or tingling in the fingers, blanching (white) fingertips on cold exposure, reduced grip strength, and pain. Report symptoms early.

How to reduce exposure

• Use the lowest-vibration tool that does the job
• Keep tools maintained and sharp — blunt tools vibrate more
• Reduce trigger time through job rotation and better work planning
• Use anti-vibration mounts and properly fitted handles where appropriate
• Keep hands warm and dry
• Train operators in good technique

Worked example

An angle grinder (7 m/s²) for 45 minutes, a vibration-reduced needle scaler (7 m/s²) for 20 minutes, and a small impact wrench (5 m/s²) for 30 minutes give a daily A(8) of around 2.9 m/s² and roughly 131 points — at or above the EAV, so action is required.

RIDDOR

Diagnosed HAVS in employees can be reportable under RIDDOR as an occupational disease where it is connected to work activities.

Try the calculator

Use our Hand-Arm Vibration Exposure Calculator to estimate daily A(8), exposure points, and time to EAV / ELV for up to 6 tools.

Sources

• HSE — Hand-arm vibration calculator guide — https://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/calculator-guide.htm
• HSE — Employer responsibilities — https://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/responsibilities.htm
• HSE — Protect your workers — https://www.hse.gov.uk/VIBRATION/hav/protect.htm
• HSE — Regulations — https://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/regulations.htm
• HSE — Assess the risks — https://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/assessrisks.htm
• HSE — RIDDOR occupational diseases — https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/occupational-diseases.htm

Last reviewed: April 2026. Tool magnitudes are starter HSE-style values and should be reviewed against current guidance and measured data. This guide supports risk assessment and is not legal or medical advice.