Aegis -
Workplace Noise & Vibration Assessments

No. An exposure assessment examines the tools, tasks and duration of vibration exposure. Clinical assessment considers whether a worker has developed hand-arm vibration syndrome, known as HAVS, or another health condition.

Tingling, numbness, reduced grip or fingers turning white can indicate a problem and should be reported promptly. Medical assessment and diagnosis require appropriate occupational health input; an equipment assessment does not provide a diagnosis.

For noise, hearing checks are required for employees likely to be regularly exposed above the upper action values, or who are otherwise at risk.

For hand-arm vibration, health surveillance is required at or above the exposure action value and in other circumstances where there is a risk to health. It should not wait until symptoms appear.

Health surveillance complements exposure controls. The appropriate programme should be arranged with competent occupational health support.

Not always. An assessment needs reliable information representative of the work. Existing measurements or suitable equipment data may be sufficient in some circumstances.

Where that information cannot reliably describe exposure, measurements may be needed. The assessor must consider the equipment, operating conditions, uncertainty and actual exposure duration.

The service described on this page covers workplace noise and hand-arm vibration. Whole-body vibration, such as vibration transmitted through a vehicle seat, requires a separate assessment scope.

If this is relevant to your workplace, tell us when enquiring so the support required can be clarified.

No. These assessments focus on occupational exposure. Planning-related acoustic services and construction noise, dust and vibration monitoring address different requirements, such as effects on surrounding properties and communities.

A site may need both types of assessment, depending on its activities and the people affected.

Review assessments when equipment, processes, exposure durations or other relevant conditions change, or when there is reason to doubt the findings. Worker feedback and health-surveillance results can also indicate a need for review.

For noise, HSE advises checking whether a review is needed at least about every two years even if nothing appears to have changed. This is guidance, not a fixed legal requirement to commission a new survey every two years.

Provide the site location, relevant tasks, equipment details, working patterns and the number of people potentially exposed. Existing assessments, operating instructions, exposure records and details of current controls can help establish the appropriate scope.