7

The supplier (including manufacture, importer and tool hire firm) of powered

hand-held or hand-guided tools should provide information about vibration risk (see

paras 12 -18).

8

Many users of hand-held power tools have already measured vibration for

particular tasks and the results may be available through a relevant trade

association. When considering a specific task, try to find data which is derived from

as similar a task as possible as this will provide a better guide to the range in levels

likely to be found in practice when the task is performed in the workplace.

9

Data from suppliers and some workplace data is available on the Internet. An

EU-supported website is http://umetech.niwl.se/English/.

10

Users should only need to arrange for hand-arm vibration emissions to be

measured when adequate data does not exist elsewhere. For example, when data

from the supplier etc is unlikely to represent the expected risk and available data

suggests that vibration emissions vary very widely by task. Advice on measurement

procedures is given in HS(G)88 and EN ISO 5349-2 (awaiting publication in 2001).

Users who have to make measurements can minimise overall cost and effort by

co-operation with others involved in similar activities. Trade associations might

assist by managing a database for the benefit of all members.

11

Data collected from as many sources as possible will establish reasonable

estimates for likely ranges of vibration emissions for a variety of tasks.

INFORMATION FROM SUPPLIERS

12

Suppliers have duties under The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations

1992 (as amended). Their first duty is to eliminate risks by design or by protection

measures so that it is possible to use machinery without risks to health or safety.

New tools must be manufactured taking into account the 'state of the art' and, in

designing and constructing tools, manufacturers must consider normal and

abnormal use.

13

Where limitations in technology prevent elimination of a risk by design or by

protection measures and a residual risk remains, suppliers etc must warn the

purchaser of the residual risk and provide information on training and other

requirements that might be appropriate to control of the risk. A suggested format

for this information is given at the appendix. Further explanation is given in

paragraphs 19-32.