Report - Workplace exposure to vibration in Europe: an expert review
One in three European workers is exposed to vibrations at work and for some sectors, such as construction at 63%, this figure is much higher. Although vibration is a long-standing and well-known risk, its importance has increased since the application of the vibration directive (2002/44/EC), which came into force on 6th July 2005.
Enterprises, regulators and legislators face new challenges; measurement is complicated and risk assessment and reduction are not simple. This report brings together specialists from eight leading European institutes to produce an overview of the challenges facing the occupational safety and health community as regards management of occupational vibration risks. The situation in six Member States – Belgium, Germany, Spain, Finland, France and Poland – is examined, and research information is presented covering all Member States.
:
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
:
19.12.2008
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Chapters in this Publication
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Main sources of vibration and extent of workers' exposure
Number of workers exposed to vibration at work according to source, sector, sex, age and economic sector. Read more...Chapter 2 - Principal groups at risk
Identification of vehicles, plant and machinery most likely to result in workers exceeding action level and limit values for whole-body vibration. Identification of hand-tools most likely to result in workers exceeding action level and limit values for hand-arm vibration. Read more...Chapter 4 - Evaluation of vibration risks at the workplace
Examination of who carries out vibration measurements; how employers carry out assessments; and the use made of manufacturers' emission data in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Poland and Spain. Read more...Chapter 5 - Application of the directive in practice
Review of criteria to start a vibration control programme; assessment of combined effects; medical examination criteria; assessment of vibration syndrome/health hazard; use of personal protective equipment for hand-arm vibration; control of whole-body vibration; and other control methods. Read more...Chapter 6 - Management of vibration risks at the workplace
Exploration of control strategies and measures for preventing risks related to vibration (legal basis, guidance and control measures) and of success factors. Read more...Chapter 7 - Support for employers
Overview of the support available in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Poland and Spain as regards guides for risk assessment and for health surveillance, actions and strategies at national level. Read more...Chapter 8 - Prevention measures
Summary of technical prevention measures, negative health effects of exposure to vibration; success factors; barriers to adoption of successful solutions; diversity of exposed population; and implications for the future. Read more...Chapter 9 - Research perspectives
Catalogue of current and planned research projects across Europe and a description of priorities for research. Access to an online database of research projects in Europe. Read more...Chapter 10 - General conclusions
Occupational exposure to vibration is a longstanding issue and, although the sources of vibration have changed, the number of workers exposed remains high. The vibration directive has focused efforts on reducing the harm resulting from vibration and has clarified the challenges involved in taking effective preventive action. The most important challenges are ensuring that limit values are not exceeded when using the highest risk equipment and machinery identified in this report; ensuring that the capacity to carry out proper exposure measurement is in place; putting in place effective measures to reduce vibration; giving proper assistance to employers; and carrying out necessary research in the most efficient way. Read more...Chapter 11 - References
EU directives and standards; guidance and publications; and websites. Read more...Annex 1 - Guidance and practices for control measures
15 short practical examples of interventions to reduce the risk from occupational vibration Read more...Annex 2 - Description of good practices
Seven brief case studies highlighting good practice in vibration reduction Read more...chapter_03-implementation_of_the_directive
One conclusion from the EU-OSHA economic incentives project is that incentives schemes should not only reward past results of good OSH management (such as accident numbers in experience rating), but should also reward specific prevention efforts that aim to reduce future accidents and ill-health. Experts from the economic incentives project therefore suggested the development of compilations of innovative and evidence-based preventive solutions, starting with the three sectors construction, health care and HORECA (hotels, restaurants, catering). The preventive measures from these compilations are worth promoting in their own right, as well as being applied in economic incentives schemes. These preventive solutions can be used as a basis for incentive-providing organisations to develop their own incentive scheme, adapted to the specific situation in their sector and country.
This Guide on Economic Incentives Schemes is intended to serve as a practical and user-friendly guide to help incentive providers to create or optimise their own economic incentive schemes. Incentives schemes should not only reward past results of good OSH management (such as low accident numbers), but should also reward specific prevention efforts that aim to reduce future accidents and ill-health. Therefore the expert group suggested the development of compilations of innovative and evidence-based preventive solutions, starting with the three sectors construction, health care and HORECA.
The report shows that emergency workers have a high risk of suffering fatal accidents, injuries and other occupational diseases. Past disasters demonstrate that both communities and companies are often not fully prepared for major accidents and catastrophes. Better protection for emergency workers against occupational hazards should be given high priority, as current environmental, economic, and political developments suggest an increase in the severity and frequency of future disasters.
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