HSE vibration calculator updated and training event on 2 October

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has updated its hand-arm vibration exposure calculator, which is a spreadsheet you can download from the HSE website here (do not disable the macros or it won't work). 

You can see on this website some of the fines that have been imposed for exposing workers to hand-arm vibration injuries - the latest was £100,000.

The calculator is not an alternative to monitoring individual people's exposure but can provide some guidance with drop down menus for common tools such as angle grinders from HSE’s database. HSE says the spreadsheet can be used to make 'cautious estimates' of exposure before in-use data for specific tools are available.

If you are not sure what you should be doing to protect yourself and others from suffering from hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), HSE is running a one-day HAVS refresher course at its training centre at Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire, on 2 October. You can book your place(s) here. If you can't make it on 2 October, HSE has some more dates planned.