About this site

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) caused by exposure to vibration at work is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent. Each year, approximately 3,000 new claims for Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit are made in relation to vibration white finger and vibration-related carpal tunnel syndrome.

This website is for employers, workers and their advisers. It tells you what you need to do to reduce and control the risks from vibration at work.

The website tells you about:

• Simple checks to see if you are at risk and tools to estimate exposure
• New Regulations in force from 6 July 2005
• What employers have to do to protect their employees
• Cost-effective solutions that you may easily adapt for your workplace
• Key messages
• This website does not deal with vibration from non-work activities.

If you are worried about any related risks to health from noise, visit our noise website.

Key Messages

• HAVS is preventable, but once the damage is done it is permanent.
• HAVS is serious and disabling, and nearly 2 million people are at risk.
• Damage from HAVS can include the inability to do fine work and cold can trigger painful finger blanching attacks.
• The costs to employees and to employers of inaction could be high.
• There are simple and cost-effective ways to eliminate risk of HAVS.
• The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations focus on the elimination or control of vibration exposure.
• The long-term aim is to prevent new cases of HAVS occuring and enable workers to remain at work without disability.
• The most efficient and effective way of controlling exposure to hand-arm vibration is to look for new or alternative work methods which eliminate or reduce exposure to vibration.
• Health surveillance is vital to detect and respond to early signs of damage.