The UK will implement the Directive by Regulations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations will into force on 6 July 2005. These regulations set out specific requirements for the control of health risks from exposure to hand-arm and whole-body vibration in the workplace.

Hand-arm vibration comes from the use of hand-held power tools and is the cause of significant ill-health (painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves, joints and muscles of the hands and arms, collectively known as hand-arm vibration syndrome and including vibration white finger).

Whole-body vibration comes from riding in vehicles, particularly over rough terrain, and is a factor in back pain and injury.

Specifically the Directive require employers, where there is likely to be a risk from exposure to vibration to:

• reduce exposure to a minimum
  

• provide information and training
  

• assess exposure levels
  

• carry out a programme of measures to reduce exposure and provide appropriate health surveillance when exposure reaches the exposure action value
  

• keep exposure below the exposure limit value.
  

For hand-arm vibration the exposure values, assuming an 8 hour working day, are:

Exposure action value: 2.5 m/s² A(8)
Exposure limit value: 5.0 m/s² A(8)

These values represent the sum of vibrations measured in three different directions (x axis, y axis and z axis). The current HSE recommended action level is 2.8 m/s² A(8) is based on measurement in only one direction (the axis with highest vibration). For purposes of comparison with the Directive the HSE's current recommended action level might be translated as roughly 4 m/s² A(8).