The European vibration directive

The European Union adopted a Directive in 2002 on minimum requirements for the health and safety of workers exposed to vibration. This is known as the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive. It builds on existing general employers' duties to manage risks to health and safety, and introduces exposure action and limit values for both hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration, setting minimum standards for the control of vibration risks across Europe. New Regulations on Vibration at Work will be introduced in Great Britain on 6 July 2005 to implement the Directive. These Regulations should serve to strengthen the continuing work of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to reduce exposures to hand-arm vibration in British industry. Implementation of the Directive for whole-body vibration presents a different challenge and the HSE is currently preparing appropriate guidance to accompany the Regulations. This will form part of an holistic approach to back pain in professional drivers, setting vibration in context with other risk factors, particularly postural concerns and manual handling operations.