Hand-arm vibration is vibration passed from a power tool or a vibrating workpiece into your hands and arms, and regular exposure can cause permanent damage to nerves, blood vessels and joints. The condition is often called hand-arm vibration syndrome, or HAVS. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to assess and control the risk. This guide explains the commonly described symptoms (general knowledge), the main duties, and the practical controls that make a difference on site.
Key takeaways
- Regular, long exposure to vibrating hand-held tools can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome, which can become permanent.
- Early symptoms include tingling and numbness in the fingers, and reporting them early gives the best chance of preventing further harm.
- The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 use an exposure action value and an exposure limit value, and the HSE vibration pages give the current figures.
- Employers must assess the risk, reduce exposure as far as reasonably practicable, and provide information, training and health surveillance where needed.
- The best controls are choosing the right low-vibration tool, keeping it maintained, limiting the time on the tool and organising the task well.
- Workers should use tools as instructed, avoid gripping harder than necessary and report symptoms without delay.
What hand-arm vibration does to the body
When you use a vibrating tool, the movement travels into your hands and arms. Over time, repeated exposure can harm the nerves, the blood supply and the structures in the hand. RIDDOR 2013 regulation 8, paragraphs (a) and (d), lists carpal tunnel syndrome and hand-arm vibration syndrome from regular use of vibrating tools. Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the nerve at the wrist.
The symptoms include (general knowledge):
- Tingling and numbness in the fingers.
- Not being able to feel things properly.
- Loss of strength in the hands, which can make it hard to grip or do fine work.
- Fingers turning white, then red and painful as the blood flow returns. This is often triggered by cold or wet conditions.
These symptoms can come on gradually and may be put down to cold weather or getting older. They can affect work and everyday life, from fastening buttons to holding a cup. The damage can become permanent, and that is the main reason to report early. If you notice any of these signs, tell your supervisor and consider seeing a doctor or occupational health service.
Which work puts people at risk?
Hand-held and hand-guided power tools are the main sources in construction. Examples include breakers, rotary hammers and hammer drills, angle grinders, chainsaws and other power tools that vibrate in the hand. Holding a workpiece that is being worked by a vibrating machine, such as a grinder, can also expose your hands.
Two things drive the risk together: how much the tool vibrates, and how long you use it. A tool that vibrates strongly can be a problem even for modest periods, and a tool that vibrates less can still be a problem when used for most of the day. That is why employers must look at the whole task, not just the tool.
What the regulations require
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 apply to both hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration. In relation to hand-arm vibration, in plain English, the employer must:
- Assess the risk. Identify tools, tasks and who is exposed, and estimate how long people use them.
- Reduce exposure. Remove or reduce the risk at source where it is possible, and otherwise to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
- Stay within the limits. The regulations set an exposure action value, which triggers action, and an exposure limit value, which must not be exceeded. The HSE page and the regulations give the figures.
- Provide health surveillance where there is a risk to health, so that early signs of harm can be found.
- Provide information and training so that workers understand the risks and the controls.
Do not rely on a number from memory or from a colleague. Check the HSE hand-arm vibration page for the current exposure values and for guidance on how exposure is calculated and recorded.
Practical controls
The controls below follow the same logic as other health risks: remove or reduce the source first, then manage the way people work.
Tool and task choice
- Consider whether the job can be done another way, for example using equipment that avoids hand-held breaking or grinding.
- Choose the right tool for the job. A tool that is too small for the task can take longer and expose you for longer.
- Prefer lower-vibration tools where the choice exists, and ask whether the supplier has information on vibration.
Maintenance and condition
- Keep tools maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions. Worn parts and poor balance can make vibration worse.
- Use sharp, correct accessories. Blunt bits and discs make the tool work harder.
- Report tools that feel rough, loose or unusually vibrating, and take them out of use until checked.
How the work is organised
- Plan tasks so that no one spends more time on a vibrating tool than necessary.
- Rotate people between tasks where this reduces each person's exposure.
- Allow breaks from the tool as part of the task, not as an optional extra.
- Keep a record of tool use where the employer needs it to manage exposure.
How you use the tool
- Hold the tool as shown in training. Gripping harder than needed can increase the vibration transmitted to the hand.
- Let the tool do the work and avoid pushing it harder than necessary.
- Keep your hands warm and dry, because cold can make symptoms worse.
- Do not carry on working through tingling, numbness or pain. Stop and report it.
Quick reference table
| Control | What it looks like on site |
|---|---|
| Alternative method | The task is planned to avoid hand-held vibrating tools where possible. |
| Right tool | The tool suits the job and is not under-sized or over-used. |
| Maintenance | Tools are serviced, accessories are sharp and faulty tools are taken out of use. |
| Time limits | Exposure time is planned, recorded where needed, and shared between people. |
| Training | Workers know the symptoms, the controls and how to report concerns. |
| Health surveillance | Where required, workers are checked for early signs of harm. |
Link to other health risks
Vibrating tools are often noisy as well, so a single task can carry more than one risk. The guide on noise at work on site explains how hearing is protected, and the guide on musculoskeletal disorders on site covers the strain that heavy tools and awkward postures can cause. Controls for one risk should not create another, so the task needs to be looked at as a whole.
Practice check
These are original practice questions written for this site. They are not official CITB questions and do not predict your result. This site is independent and not affiliated with CSCS or CITB. For the real test, see the operatives test format page.
Question 1. You use a vibrating tool regularly and notice tingling in your fingers that comes and goes. What is the best action?
- A. Carry on because it is probably just the cold
- B. Report it to your supervisor and seek medical advice
- C. Grip the tool more tightly for better control
- D. Wait to see whether it becomes permanent
Correct answer: B. Tingling can be an early sign of hand-arm vibration syndrome, and early reporting gives the best chance of preventing further harm.
Question 2. Which of the following is a sensible way to reduce vibration exposure?
- A. Use a blunt accessory to save money
- B. Keep using the same tool all day without breaks
- C. Choose a suitable low-vibration tool, keep it maintained and plan the work to limit time on the tool
- D. Hold the tool as tightly as possible
Correct answer: C. Tool choice, maintenance and the way the work is organised all reduce exposure. Blunt accessories and a tight grip make things worse.
FAQ
What is hand-arm vibration syndrome?
It is a condition caused by regular exposure to vibration from hand-held or hand-guided tools. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, loss of grip strength and fingers that turn white and then painful. The damage can become permanent, which is why early action matters.
Are there legal limits for vibration exposure?
Yes. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set an exposure action value and an exposure limit value. The exact figures and the way exposure is worked out are on the HSE hand-arm vibration page.
Can I keep using a vibrating tool if my fingers go numb?
You should stop and report it. Numbness and tingling are warning signs, and carrying on can lead to more serious and lasting damage. Your employer has to consider your health surveillance and change your work if needed.
Who is responsible for controlling vibration on site?
The employer has the main legal duties, including assessing the risk and providing controls and training. Workers should use the tools and methods as instructed and report problems. If you are unsure how your exposure is being managed, ask your supervisor.
Sources
- HSE: Hand-arm vibration
- Legislation.gov.uk: Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
- Legislation.gov.uk: RIDDOR 2013
Independent guide, not affiliated with, authorised by, approved by or endorsed by CSCS or CITB. Last updated 2026-10-08.