Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

    HAVS is preventable — but only if you measure it.

    Hand-arm vibration exposure assessments combining triaxial accelerometer measurement on representative tools, trigger-time recording and a defensible A(8) calculation against the Exposure Action and Limit Values.

    • UK-wide since 2013
    • Independent assessments
    • ISO 9001 accredited
    • Practical control advice

    What this means for you

    Evidence you can act on and defend.

    • Measured exposure evidence

      Data suitable for HSE, insurers and audits.

    • Independent assessment

      Occupational hygiene review of real exposure risk.

    • Practical control recommendations

      Prioritised actions based on risk and operational practicality.

    • Compliance support

      Evidence to support COSHH and internal governance.

    Speak with a hand-arm vibration specialist

    0800 433 7914

    sales@sysco-env.co.uk

    Mon–Fri · 08:00–18:00 · Independent advice · Fixed-price scope

    Typical response: same working day

    Minimal operational disruption
    Sampling during normal activities
    Clear fixed scope before attendance
    Action-focused reporting

    What happens next

    Most HAV assessments complete in one shift.

    We instrument the tools in actual use, observe trigger time, calculate A(8) per operator and return a prioritised action plan with health surveillance recommendations.

    No unnecessary disruption. No generic paperwork. No unnecessary complexity.

    • Whether exposure is controlled

      A clear yes or no, backed by measurement.

    • Where the highest risks are

      Locations, tasks and roles ranked by exposure.

    • What actions matter most

      A prioritised plan you can budget and schedule.

    Accredited
    ISO 9001 Registered Company
    Members of
    British Occupational Hygiene Society (Affiliate Member)ConstructionlineCHAS Accredited ContractorSafeContractor Approved
    Testing Competency
    AIHA Proficiency Analytical Testing Programs

    What you get

    Four answers. One clear plan.

    You need to know what your workforce is exposed to, whether your controls are effective, what actions matter most, and how to demonstrate control confidently.

    That is exactly what we deliver.

    01

    Measured tool emissions

    Triaxial accelerometer measurements on each tool in actual use, not catalogue values.

    02

    Real trigger time

    Observed and recorded trigger time per task, not estimated.

    03

    A(8) vs EAV / ELV

    Daily exposure benchmarked against the 2.5 m/s² EAV and 5.0 m/s² ELV.

    04

    Practical control plan

    Tool selection, task rotation, anti-vibration accessories and health surveillance.

    Typical environments·Construction·Civil engineering·Demolition·Stoneworks·Engineering workshops·Foundries·Forestry & arboriculture

    Why clients call

    If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.

    1. 01

      An auditor is asking

      HSE, your insurer or a client wants evidence — not assurances

      We provide measured hand-arm vibration data and a clear technical report that resolves the issue quickly.

    2. 02

      Your team is worried

      Operatives are reporting concerns or symptoms

      We attend site, quantify workforce exposure and provide clear evidence of current risk levels.

    3. 03

      You suspect a problem

      You know there's a risk and you want measured data before it becomes a crisis

      We quantify exposure, assess it against current limits and provide a prioritised corrective action plan.

    What we answer for you

    Three questions, settled.

    Where your people are exposed
    We map the tasks, areas and shifts where hand-arm vibration matters, then sample what your team actually breathes — not a generic site average.
    Whether your controls are working
    An independent review of your LEV, ventilation, PPE and work practices — what is effective and what requires improvement.
    What you need to fix first
    A prioritised, costed action list — the smallest set of changes that gets you compliant and measurably safer.

    How we work with you

    From your first call to your action plan.

    1. 1

      We listen first — your site, your concerns, your deadline.

    2. 2

      We walk the workplace with your team to see exposure as it actually happens.

    3. 3

      We sample on the people most at risk, using validated occupational hygiene methods for hand-arm vibration.

    4. 4

      We assess your existing controls honestly — what's working, what isn't.

    5. 5

      You receive a clear technical report suitable for operational, compliance and regulatory readers.

    6. 6

      We hand you a prioritised action plan you can budget, schedule and defend.

    Typical survey outputs

    What you receive at the end of the engagement.

    • Tool-by-tool measured emission
    • Per-operator trigger time
    • A(8) calculation per operator
    • EAV / ELV benchmarking
    • Tool replacement priorities
    • Trigger-time reduction plan
    • Health surveillance integration
    • Defensible CVWR report

    Client testimony

    Sysco mapped our HAV exposure tool-by-tool and operator-by-operator — closed our health surveillance gaps cleanly.

    SHEQ manager

    UK construction contractor

    Typical environments we assess

    Wherever hand-arm vibration risk affects your people.

    • Construction sites
    • Engineering workshops
    • Demolition contractors
    • Foundries
    • Stoneworks
    • Civil engineering crews

    Background

    Hand-arm vibration, in detail.

    What CVWR requires

    The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set an Exposure Action Value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s² A(8) — at which exposure must be assessed, controlled and health surveillance provided — and an Exposure Limit Value (ELV) of 5.0 m/s² A(8) which must not be exceeded.

    How we measure

    Triaxial accelerometers attached to each tool/handle in actual use, with simultaneous observation of trigger time. Catalogue emission values are used only for sense-checking. A(8) is calculated per operator from the dominant tasks of the day.

    Practical controls

    Lower-vibration tool selection, trigger-time reduction by task design, anti-vibration mounts and gloves (where evidence supports them), task rotation, statutory health surveillance with HSE Tier 1–4 questionnaires.

    Related services

    Often assessed alongside hand-arm vibration.

    Common questions

    Hand-Arm Vibration Assessments — FAQs.

    Quick answers to the questions we hear most from operations, HSE and procurement teams.

    What are the EAV and ELV?
    EAV 2.5 m/s² A(8); ELV 5.0 m/s² A(8). The points system (100 / 400 points) is a common shorthand.
    Do you use measured or catalogue tool values?
    Measured wherever practical — catalogue values are only used as a cross-check for new or hard-to-instrument tools.
    Do you support health surveillance?
    Yes — exposure data integrated with the appointed occupational health provider's HSE Tier programme.
    How long does an assessment take?
    Typically one shift; multi-site operations need additional visits.
    Anti-vibration gloves — do they help?
    Marginally on some tools; we report on evidence-based effectiveness rather than vendor claims.
    Where in the UK?
    Nationwide UK coverage.

    Speak with a hand-arm vibration specialist

    Tell us your tool fleet. We'll quote a HAV assessment.

    Tell us

    • the tools and tasks of concern,
    • approximate operator numbers,
    • current health surveillance,
    • and your reporting deadline.

    We will provide

    • a clear scope,
    • fixed quotation,
    • proposed attendance strategy,
    • and expected reporting timeframe.

    Send us a brief

    Outline the sites, tasks and timelines of concern — we'll reply with a clear scope and fixed quotation.

    Response within one working day
    UK-wide site coverage
    Fixed-price scope, no obligation
    Mon–Fri · 08:00–18:00