Occupational exposure and health

We measure vibration exposure in the workplace and test equipment intended to reduce it, drawing on the laboratory's long history of research into human responses to vibration.

Whole-body and hand-transmitted vibration exposure

We measure and evaluate whole-body vibration exposure on-site in road, rail, air and sea transport and in buildings, and hand-transmitted vibration from hand-held and hand-guided tools, in the laboratory and on site. Measurements use data acquisition and analysis systems developed from the laboratory's own research, and are made to the current international standards for human vibration exposure and for measuring instrumentation.

Anti-vibration glove testing

We test the vibration transmissibility of gloves from a vibrating handle to the palm of the hand, to the current edition of ISO 10819, supporting assessment of gloves marketed as anti-vibration gloves.

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) assessment

We provide assessment of the vascular and neurological components of HAVS, combining an occupational and medical history interview with quantitative tests of grip strength, finger dexterity, vibrotactile and thermotactile perception, finger re-warming following cold provocation, and finger systolic blood pressure, reported against normal values.
 

Standards

Human vibration exposure and measuring instrumentation

  • BS ISO 2631-1:1997 incorporating Amd 1:2010 Whole-body vibration: general requirements
  • ISO 2631-2:2026 Vibration in buildings, 1 Hz to 80 Hz
  • ISO 2631-4:2001 incorporating Amd 1:2010 Fixed-guideway transport systems
  • BS ISO 2631-5:2018 Vibration containing multiple shocks
  • BS 6841:1987 Whole-body vibration and repeated shock
  • BS 6472-1:2008, BS 6472-2:2008 Vibration in buildings: other than blasting, and blast-induced
  • BS EN ISO 8041-1:2017 Measuring instrumentation: general purpose vibration meters
  • BS EN ISO 8041-2:2021 Measuring instrumentation: personal vibration exposure meters
  • BS EN ISO 5349-1:2001 Hand-transmitted vibration: general requirements
  • BS EN ISO 5349-2:2001+A1:2015 Hand-transmitted vibration: workplace measurement guidance
  • BS EN ISO 28927 series Hand-held portable power tools: vibration emission test methods by tool type
  • BS EN ISO 20643:2008+A1:2012 Hand-held and hand-guided machinery: evaluation of vibration emission

Anti-vibration gloves

  • BS EN ISO 10819:2013+A2:2022 Measurement and evaluation of glove vibration transmissibility at the palm

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) assessment

  • ISO 14835-1:2016 Cold provocation: finger skin temperature
  • ISO 14835-2:2005 Cold provocation: finger systolic blood pressure
  • ISO 13091-1 incorporating Amd 1:2010 and Amd 2:2021 Vibrotactile perception thresholds: measurement at the fingertips
  • ISO 13091-2:2021 Vibrotactile perception thresholds: analysis and interpretation

Thermotactile threshold testing is conducted by established laboratory method; there is no corresponding ISO standard. Results are interpreted with reference to the Stockholm Workshop classification.

Regulatory context:

  • the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set, for hand-arm vibration, a daily exposure action value of 2.5 m/s² A(8) and an exposure limit value of 5 m/s² A(8); for whole-body vibration, 0.5 m/s² A(8) and 1.15 m/s² A(8) respectively
  • the equivalent EU instrument is Directive 2002/44/EC on physical agents (vibration)
  • personal protective equipment placed on the market in Great Britain is covered by Regulation (EU) 2016/425 as assimilated law, which replaced Directive 89/686/EEC