Hand-Arm Vibration Awareness

In this course, you’ll explore what hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is, its effects – including vibration white finger, neurological damage and musculoskeletal harm – and why early reporting matters.

You’ll learn what your legal duties are, how to calculate your daily vibration exposure, and how this is measured against two thresholds set out in the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005: the exposure action value (EAV) and the exposure limit value (ELV). You’ll also cover how to reduce the risk and when health surveillance is needed.

Learning Objectives

Describe what HAVS is, its effects – including vibration white finger, neurological damage and musculoskeletal harm – and why early reporting matters
Identify the legal duties of employers and workers under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, including the EAV and ELV thresholds
Recognise the risks of daily vibration exposure and use the HSE exposure points system to calculate safe working limits
Apply the hierarchy of control measures to reduce HAVS risk, including tool selection, maintenance and exposure time limits
Explain when health surveillance is required and what it involves for workers regularly exposed above the EAV