New second edition Hand-Arm Vibration: The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (L140) guidance available

The highly anticipated second edition of L140 is now available. The new guidance has been updated in keeping with changes to related legislation, technical advances and experience. It is aimed at employers as well as those who advise employers, such as health and safety professionals, vibration specialists and occupational health professionals.

Hand-arm vibration or HAV is a widespread hazard for employees in many industries and occupations. This second edition of L140 outlines what an employer’s duties are under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 as they relate specifically to HAV. The layout of the revision has been modified to emphasise control of exposure. There are minor changes to the legislation, but no changes to HSE’s policy on the control of hand-arm vibration.

The guidance analyses the employer’s legal obligations to control risks to employees’ health and safety from exposure to HAV and to prevent HAV-related diseases, such as hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore, it covers the management and control of the risks from HAV and how to protect employees, with practical guidance on risk assessments, estimating vibration exposure and arranging health surveillance.

The new guidance can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l140.htm

The guidance in this book will continue to help dutyholders to reduce risks from vibration to the lowest level reasonably practicable. Further information is available on the vibration pages of HSE’s website: www.hse.gov.uk/vibration.