S.L. 646.21 Art. 4Determination and assessment of risks. S.L. 424.18

(1) The employer shall assess and, if necessary, measure the levels of mechanical vibrations to which workers are exposed.

Measurement shall be carried out in accordance with point 2 of Part A or point 2 of Part B of the Schedule, as appropriate.

(2) The level of exposure to mechanical vibration may be assessed by means of observation of specific working practices and reference to relevant information on the probable magnitude of the vibration corresponding to the equipment or the types of equipment used in the particular conditions of use, including such information provided by the manufacturer of the equipment. That operation shall be distinguished from measurement, which requires the use of specific apparatus and appropriate methodology.

(3) The assessment and measurement referred to in subregulation (1) shall be planned and carried out by competent persons at suitable intervals. The results obtained from the assessment or measurement of the level of exposure to mechanical vibration shall be preserved in a suitable form so as to permit consultation at a later stage.

(4) The employer shall give particular attention, when carrying out the risk assessment, to the following-

(a) the level, type and duration of exposure, including any exposure to intermittent vibration or repeated vibration shocks;

(b) the exposure limit values and the exposure action values laid down in regulation 3;

(c) any effects concerning the health and safety of workers at particularly sensitive risk;

(d) any indirect effects on worker health and safety resulting from interactions between mechanical vibration and the workplace or other work equipment;

(e) information provided by the manufacturers of work equipment in accordance with the relevant Community Directives in force;

(f) the existence of replacement equipment designed to reduce the levels of exposure to mechanical vibration;

(g) the extension of exposure to whole-body vibration beyond normal working hours under the employer’s responsibility;

(h) specific working conditions such as low or high temperatures;

(i) appropriate information obtained from health surveillance, including published information, as far as possible.

(5) The employer shall be in possession of an assessment of the risk in accordance with regulation 10 of the General Provisions for Health & Safety at Work Place, Regulations, and shall identify those measures which must be taken in accordance with regulations 5 and 6. The risk assessment shall be recorded on a suitable medium, and it may include a justification by the employer that the nature and extent of the risks related to mechanical vibration make a further detailed risk assessment unnecessary. The risk assessment shall be kept up-to-date on a regular basis, particularly if there have been significant changes which could render it out-of-date, or when the results of health surveillance show it to be necessary.