Vibration and Noise Surveys
HAV + WBV + Noise
Single coordinated survey
A(8) + LEX,8h
Per worker / SEG
Joint controls
Prioritised plan
Vibration & noise assessment
Combined workforce exposure
What it is
Two hazards, one coordinated assessment
Vibration and noise rarely arrive separately. The same tools and tasks that generate harmful noise typically generate harmful vibration too — and the same workers are usually affected by both. A combined assessment treats them as the linked occupational hazards they are.
The service operates alongside workplace noise surveys, personal noise dosimetry and construction noise monitoring, but is commissioned where vibration is also in scope.
Hazards
Hazards assessed
Hand-arm vibration (HAV)
ISO 5349 / CVWR 2005 — A(8) per worker; action value 2.5 m/s², limit 5.0 m/s².
Whole-body vibration (WBV)
ISO 2631 / CVWR 2005 — A(8) per worker; action value 0.5 m/s², limit 1.15 m/s².
Workplace noise
BS EN ISO 9612 / CNWR 2005 — LEX,8h and LCpeak per worker.
Equipment
Tools and equipment commonly assessed
- Angle grinders and cut-off saws
- Needle scalers and chipping hammers
- Hammer drills and breakers
- Impact wrenches
- Plate compactors and rammers
- Reciprocating saws
- Forklifts, dumpers and rollers
- Mobile and earth-moving plant
Workforce
Workforce groups covered
- Fabricators and welders
- Maintenance and fitters
- Construction operatives
- Demolition and ground workers
- Mobile plant operators
- Forklift drivers
- Highway and rail trackside teams
Process
How the combined survey runs
- 1
Workforce mapping
Identification of workers and SEGs exposed to vibration, noise or both, with daily task profiles.
- 2
On-site measurement
Tool-specific HAV measurement, WBV measurement on seats, and personal noise dosimetry or area sound measurement.
- 3
Exposure calculation
A(8) for HAV and WBV, LEX,8h and LCpeak for noise, all per worker or SEG.
- 4
Action / limit comparison
Comparison against CVWR 2005 and CNWR 2005 action and limit values.
- 5
Joint control plan
Coordinated control recommendations: lower-vibration tools, scheduling, hearing protection, ergonomic redesign, training.
Controls
Joint control opportunities
- Lower-vibration / quieter tool substitution
- Anti-vibration mounts on seats
- Reduced cycle times and rotation
- Tool maintenance and sharpness
- Tooling supports and jigs
- Hearing protection programme
- Training and supervision
Outputs
Reporting outputs
- Workforce exposure tables
- Tool / plant inventory with values
- HAV trigger-time analysis
- WBV operator analysis
- Joint risk-priority list
- Coordinated action plan
- Review and re-assessment recommendations
Standards
Standards and regulations applied
- CVWR 2005 (Control of Vibration at Work)
- CNWR 2005 (Control of Noise at Work)
- ISO 5349 (HAV)
- ISO 2631 (WBV)
- BS EN ISO 9612 (noise)
- HSE L140 / L108 guidance
FAQ
Vibration & noise surveys — frequently asked questions
What is a combined vibration and noise survey?+
A combined occupational vibration and noise survey assesses both hazards in a single, coordinated piece of work — hand-arm vibration (HAV), whole-body vibration (WBV) and workplace noise — under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
Why combine the two?+
The same tasks and equipment often generate both vibration and noise exposure — power tools, grinders, breakers, presses, heavy plant. Combining the surveys reduces site visits, gives a unified workforce exposure picture and supports prioritised, joined-up control decisions.
Which standards apply?+
BS EN ISO 9612 for occupational noise measurement; ISO 5349 for hand-arm vibration; ISO 2631 for whole-body vibration. UK regulatory comparison is against the action and limit values in CNWR 2005 and CVWR 2005.
Which exposure metrics are reported?+
For noise: LEX,8h and LCpeak per worker / SEG. For HAV: A(8) daily exposure with comparison against the 2.5 m/s² action and 5.0 m/s² limit values. For WBV: A(8) with comparison against the 0.5 m/s² action and 1.15 m/s² limit values.
Who is typically assessed?+
Tool-using trades — fabricators, fitters, maintenance, construction workers, demolition operatives, ground workers and machine operators. Plant operators are typically the WBV focus. Many workforces have overlapping vibration and noise exposure.
Will the report cover both hazards together?+
Yes. The report is structured as a coordinated exposure assessment covering both hazards, identifying overlapping workforce groups, joint controls (lower-vibration tooling, ergonomic design, scheduling) and shared review triggers.
Do you do hearing protection and anti-vibration glove selection?+
We assess hearing protection adequacy directly, and signpost anti-vibration glove and tool-selection options. Glove attenuation is treated cautiously: it is rarely a primary HAV control.