Free vibration exposure assessment template

• The MapTrack vibration exposure assessment template contains 34 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: Tool & Equipment Inventory, Exposure Calculation, Risk Rating, Control Measures, Health Surveillance, Training & Communication, Review & Sign-off.
• Assessment header: date, assessor name and qualifications, site or location, department, specific task or work area being assessed.
• Tool and equipment inventory: every vibration-producing tool or machine, including make, model, serial number or asset ID, and the manufacturer-declared vibration emission value in m/s².
• Vibration magnitude source: whether the value comes from manufacturer declaration, published reference data (e.g. HSE or Safe Work Australia databases) or on-site measurement with a calibrated accelerometer, and the measurement standard used (ISO 5349).

Learn more about compliance and inspections in MapTrack.

• Early risk identification: systematically identifies workers and tasks approaching or exceeding the EAV of 2.5 m/s² A(8) before irreversible HAVS symptoms develop, enabling proactive intervention.
• Regulatory compliance: demonstrates that vibration risks have been assessed and controlled in accordance with WHS Regulations (Australia), the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (UK) and Safe Work Australia best-practice guidance.
• Tool procurement guidance: assessment data ranks tools by vibration magnitude, giving procurement teams objective evidence to select lower-vibration alternatives at the next purchase cycle.
• Exposure management: daily A(8) calculations support trigger-time limits, job rotation schedules and task redesign that keep cumulative vibration exposure within safe levels across a full shift.
• Health surveillance targeting: assessment results identify which workers exceed the EAV and should be prioritised for health surveillance programmes including symptom questionnaires, clinical examination and vascular testing.
• Audit and insurance evidence: completed assessments create a documented, date-stamped record of your vibration management programme for WHS regulators, insurers and third-party auditors.

• Assessment header: date, assessor name and qualifications, site or location, department, specific task or work area being assessed.
• Tool and equipment inventory: every vibration-producing tool or machine, including make, model, serial number or asset ID, and the manufacturer-declared vibration emission value in m/s².
• Vibration magnitude source: whether the value comes from manufacturer declaration, published reference data (e.g. HSE or Safe Work Australia databases) or on-site measurement with a calibrated accelerometer, and the measurement standard used (ISO 5349).
• Daily trigger time: estimated or measured duration in minutes that each worker or work group uses each vibration tool per shift.
• A(8) exposure calculation: the calculated eight-hour energy-equivalent vibration value for each tool and the cumulative total across all tools for each worker.
• EAV and ELV comparison: clear notation of whether the calculated A(8) is below the EAV (2.5 m/s²), between EAV and ELV, or above the ELV (5.0 m/s²).
• Risk rating: overall risk level for each worker or task (low, moderate, high) based on the A(8) result and proximity to the thresholds.
• Control measures: existing controls such as low-vibration tool selection, anti-vibration gloves, tool maintenance programmes, job rotation and trigger-time limits, plus recommended additional controls where exposure remains above the EAV.
• Health surveillance referral: confirmation of whether each exposed worker has been referred to or is currently enrolled in a hand-arm vibration health surveillance programme.
• Sign-off and review date: assessor signature, manager or WHS officer review and acknowledgement, next assessment due date.

1. Walk the site to identify every vibration-producing tool and compile a comprehensive tool inventory.

   Physically inspect each work area and list every tool and piece of equipment that transmits vibration to workers hands and arms. Common sources include angle grinders, hammer drills, impact wrenches, jackhammers, needle scalers, chainsaws, plate compactors, concrete vibrators, reciprocating saws and powered sanders. Record the make, model, serial number or asset ID and the age or condition of each item. Do not overlook tools used infrequently, as even short exposure to very high-vibration tools can contribute significantly to daily totals.

2. Obtain the vibration magnitude for each tool from manufacturer data, published reference databases or on-site measurement.

   Check the manufacturer declaration, CE marking documentation or product datasheet for the declared vibration emission value in m/s² (measured per ISO 5349 or EN 60745). If manufacturer data is unavailable, use published reference values from the HSE vibration database, Safe Work Australia guidance or equivalent sources. Where neither is available, arrange on-site measurement using a calibrated tri-axial accelerometer mounted on the tool handle per ISO 5349. Note the data source on the assessment form, as manufacturer-declared values are often measured under idealised conditions and real-world exposure may be higher.

3. Estimate the daily trigger time for each worker and each vibration tool, then calculate the A(8) exposure value.

   For each worker or work group, estimate or measure the total time per shift that each vibration tool is actually operating in the hands (trigger time), excluding idle time, set-up and breaks. Use the standard exposure formula or an online calculator (such as the HSE vibration exposure calculator) to convert vibration magnitude and trigger time into the A(8) value. Where a worker uses multiple tools, calculate the partial exposure from each tool and combine them to produce the total daily A(8). Record all calculations on the assessment form.

4. Compare each worker A(8) result against the EAV and ELV thresholds and assign a risk rating.

   Mark each exposure as below the EAV (less than 2.5 m/s² A(8), low risk), between EAV and ELV (2.5 to 5.0 m/s² A(8), moderate risk, controls required) or above the ELV (exceeds 5.0 m/s² A(8), high risk, immediate action required). Workers at or above the EAV must be provided with information and training on vibration risks, offered health surveillance and have controls implemented to reduce exposure. Workers above the ELV must have their exposure reduced immediately below the limit.

5. Document existing control measures, recommend additional controls and confirm health surveillance referrals for exposed workers.

   Record all controls currently in place: low-vibration tool procurement, regular tool maintenance to keep vibration levels within specification (sharp blades, balanced heads, replaced bearings), anti-vibration gloves where appropriate, job rotation schedules that spread vibration tasks across the crew, trigger-time limits posted at the work area, and warm-up breaks in cold weather. Where exposure remains above the EAV, recommend specific additional measures such as substituting a lower-vibration tool model, mechanising the task to remove hand contact, or redesigning the work sequence. Confirm whether each worker above the EAV has been referred to the health surveillance programme.

6. Sign off the assessment, brief affected workers on the findings and schedule the next review date.

   The assessor signs and dates the completed form. A site manager or WHS officer reviews the findings and signs to acknowledge the assessment and accept the recommended actions. Brief all affected workers on their individual exposure level, the controls in place and how to report early symptoms such as tingling, numbness or finger blanching. Update tool registers, job rotation schedules and trigger-time limits as needed. Set the next review date, typically 12 months or sooner if new tools are introduced, tasks change or health surveillance results indicate symptom progression.

Practical answers about the form, record keeping and using MapTrack.

This form is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The form alone does not establish compliance.

• Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (UK, based on EU Physical Agents Directive 2002/44/EC)
• Safe Work Australia - Managing risks of hazardous manual tasks and vibration (general duty of care under WHS Regulations)
• HSE L140 - Hand-arm vibration: The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (Guidance on Regulations)
• ISO 5349 - Mechanical vibration: measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration

• Model Codes of Practice (Safe Work Australia)
• Model WHS Regulations (Safe Work Australia)

MapTrack publishes this template. The linked authorities publish their own guidance; they haven't endorsed this form.

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