Is machinery and equipment as noise and vibration-free as some manufacturers and suppliers claim, and are clubs doing enough to reduce the risks?


Tom James uncovers some worrying trends in part two of his special report on health and safety, which also looks at sun scares and pesticides application


Bad vibes - the HAVs and the HAV nots


Whilst some local authorities run vibration checks in-house the majority turn to independent testing houses to produce reports on machinery and equipment for them. So, too, do machinery and equipment manufacturers, anxious to demonstrate that they can back up the health and safety claims they make for their products.


Sports clubs are beginning to realise the importance of independent data in assessing noise and vibration risks, but much still needs to be done to raise awareness among end users. Earlsmere ID Systems Fivesquared division, an independent test house and consultancy in the UK, offers hand-arm vibration (HAV) and whole body vibration (WBV) testing, noise and PAT checks, as well as vibration management and reduction solutions to clients across the industry that include local authorities, grounds maintenance contractors, engineering service companies and major construction firms. “We offer the complete service to help inform people about HAV and WBV, providing information, training, testing and software,” says Fivesquared’s Jeremy Hoyle. A key issue currently is the vibration at


work regulation that came into effect in July 2005, replacing 1989 legislation, and the control of noise at work measure that came into force in April 2006. “The aim of the noise regulations is to


ensure that workers’ hearing is guarded against excessive noise at their place of work which, if not properly protected, could cause them to lose hearing and/or to suffer from tinnitus,” he adds. Levels at which employers must


provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is now 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure) and the level at which employers must assess the


HEALTH and


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