Research report 1182: Hand-arm vibration and noise emissions of battery-powered tools compared with equivalent traditionally powered tools
This report describes research to compare noise and vibration emissions by battery-powered hand-held tools with those by traditionally-powered equivalents.
- The researchers made ‘in-use’ tests on a representative selection of tools,
- they found that the noise and vibration emissions of battery-powered tools can be higher or lower than those of traditionally powered equivalents
- These research findings support the use by duty holders of HSE’s existing guidance on power tool selection in order to protect workers’ health
Chris Steel, HM Principal Inspector of Health & Safety (Noise & Vibration Specialist):
“This means we can give solid advice to our inspectors on where battery powered tools will and won’t make a difference to HAVS risk. It will have a direct impact on the Noise and Vibration team’s enforcement activities.”
Read the research report in full:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to carry out more than 500 unannounced site inspections after an “unacceptable number of fatal and serious injuries” in the waste and recycling sector.
The regulator’s programme will cover the whole of Great Britain from now until March 2023.
It will target: (1) machinery guarding and (2) moving vehicles, referred to by the HSE as ‘workplace transport’. The HSE says these two issues account for most fatal injuries.
Data published by the HSE in December 2021 shows that 30% of fatal workplace injuries in the waste sector between 2016/17 and 2020/21 occurred after contact with moving machinery.
You must provide the right facilities for everyone in your workplace, including people with disabled people.
You must have:
- welfare facilities
- a healthy working environment
- a safe workplace
View our simple advice on exactly what must be provided for a safe and healthy workplace, including required toilet and washing facilities.
Visit the Health and safety made simple website for advice on other topics, such as reporting accidents and illness, preparing a health and safety policy, and assessing risks at work.