Forster Park and Rangefield Schools

Vibration and Noise Policy

 

Reviewed by:Suzanne Deadman, 29 06 2026
Ratified by:Resources Committee, Autumn 2026
Next Review:Summer Term 2028

Purpose

To ensure that Oakbridge Federation controls the risks posed by their use of equipment, machinery and vehicles that produce noise and/or vibration at potentially harmful levels.

Objectives

To ensure that Oakbridge Federation staff are aware of their responsibilities regarding the purchase and use of equipment, machinery and vehicles that generate noise and/or vibration.

To ensure that the Executive Headteacher and GB take appropriate action to minimise the possibility of adverse health effects from the use of equipment, machinery and vehicles that generate harmful levels of noise and/or vibration, thereby complying with relevant statutory instruments.

Policy Statement

The Executive Headteacher and GB recognises the risks to staff and students posed by the use of equipment, machinery and vehicles that generate potentially harmful levels of noise and/or vibration and the requirement to comply with the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

They will put in place measures to protect staff and students from the risks of Hand Arm Vibration (HAV), Whole Body Vibration (WBV) and noise induced hearing damage.

These measures will include:

  • Assessing the risks from noise and vibration exposure.
  • Taking steps to reduce noise and vibration exposure.
  • Taking into account noise and vibration risks when purchasing or hiring equipment.
  • Maintaining equipment properly.
  • Providing training and information for employees on the risks from exposure to noise and vibration, and the measures in place to reduce these.
  • Providing health surveillance where the risk assessment shows that this is appropriate.

Definitions

  • Hand Arm Vibration (HAV): Mechanical vibration transmitted from work processes into a person’s hands and arms.
  • Whole Body Vibration (WBV): Mechanical vibration which is transmitted into the body when seated or standing, through the supporting surface.
  • Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL): Permanent damage to hearing resulting from exposure to high levels of noise.
  • Handheld Equipment: any equipment held in the hand – whether powered or not, (e.g. pedestrian lawn mowers, hedge cutters, leaf blowers, strimmers, backpack blowers, hammers, chisels, wood turning tools).
  • Vibrating Vehicle: any work equipment that a person rides in or on for the purpose of conducting a work activity and which has the potential to transmit vibration into the body of the operative (e.g. ride-on lawn mower, ride-on floor cleaner, tractor, cultivator).
  • Trigger time: it is the actual time a person’s hands are in contact with the equipment, not the overall time it takes to complete the job.

Responsibilities

Executive Headteacher

The Executive Headteacher is responsible for ensuring that:

  • Noise and vibration risks are assessed, and steps taken to eliminate or, if not possible, reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable, and that in any case staff and pupils  are not exposed to noise or vibration levels above the respective exposure limit values;
  • If the daily hand-arm or whole-body vibration Exposure Action Values are likely to be exceeded, action is taken to ensure that:
    • Controls are in place to eliminate the risk or to reduce the exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable, and
    • Staff requiring health surveillance are identified and referred to the Occupational Health Service.
  • If the daily or weekly personal noise exposure level is likely to reach or exceed a Lower Exposure Action Value, that personal hearing protectors are made available on request.
  • If in any area of the workplace a staff member or pupil is likely to be exposed to noise at or above an Upper Exposure Action Value for any reason:
    • Access to the area is restricted to authorised persons only and
    • That, so far as is reasonably practicable, only persons wearing hearing protection enter the area.
  • Any personal hearing protectors made available or provided (as appropriate) are selected:
    • So as to eliminate the risk to hearing or to reduce the risk to as low a level as is reasonably practicable and
    • After consultation with the persons who will wear the protectors or with their representatives.
  • Noise and vibration levels are taken into account when purchasing or hiring new equipment and that data on noise and vibration magnitudes is obtained for all new equipment purchased or hired.
  • Staff are provided with information on the associated health risks and the control measures to be followed.
  • Maintenance regimes for tools and equipment are followed and that aspects which reduce noise and vibration are regularly checked as necessary.

Staff

Staff are responsible for ensuring that they make full and proper use of all measures put in place by the Executive Headteacher to control and minimise the risk of exposure to noise and/or vibration. 

They must, in particular:

  • Use equipment, machinery and vehicles in the appropriate manner and in accordance with instruction and training.
  • Follow any restrictions on duration of use or other safety precautions that may apply to use of equipment, machinery or vehicles with a noise and/or vibration risk.
  • Report promptly to the Executive Headteacher any defect or difficulty with the equipment, machinery or vehicles that could affect its noise and/or vibration characteristics which produces higher than normal noise and/or vibration levels;
  • Report to the Executive Headteacher immediately any symptoms associated with hand-arm vibration, whole body vibration or noise induced hearing damage.
  • Wear personal hearing protectors provided to them where risk assessment has determined that the hearing protectors are required.
  • Take care of hearing protectors issued to them and report any defects immediately to their manager or supervisor.
  • Attend health surveillance appointments with Occupational Health (The Occupational Health Service is responsible for.

Assessing the Risks from Noise and Vibration Exposure

All work activities that may expose those undertaking the work to significant levels of noise, HAV or WBV must be risk assessed for the levels of noise and/or vibration that could be experienced.

Work that may expose any employee at or above the respective vibration and/or noise Exposure Limit Values (see definitions) must not take place until an appropriate risk assessment has been made and controls implemented to reduce the exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable below the limit value. 

The purpose of the risk assessment is to identify the likely levels of exposure to noise and/or vibration. This will include observing the work and obtaining relevant information and data on the magnitude of the noise and/or vibration under the work methods used and the duration of use within any working day.

In addition, it is necessary to identify any staff whose health is at particular risk from exposure to noise and/or vibration. Any detrimental health effects arising from the interaction between noise and other agents (e.g. vibration or ototoxic chemicals) must be considered.

Reducing Noise and Vibration Exposure

Where an Exposure Action Value is likely to be reached or exceeded, exposure must be reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable by establishing and implementing control measures appropriate to the activity.

Typical control measures include:

  • using other work methods which eliminate or reduce exposure to noise and/or vibration.
  • choosing work equipment of appropriate ergonomic design which produces the least possible noise and/or vibration.
  • the introduction of appropriate maintenance programmes for the work equipment, the workplace and workplace systems.
  • the provision of information, instruction and training such that work equipment may be used correctly and safely, in order to minimise exposure to noise and/or vibration.
  • the limitation of the duration and magnitude of exposure to noise and/or vibration by introducing work schedules with adequate rest periods.
  • isolating noisy and vibratory work from other activities to as to reduce numbers of people exposed.
  • the provision of personal hearing protectors.

Working practices can significantly affect the exposure received. Work activities must be designed to consider ergonomic principles, and to:

  • encourage good posture and working techniques.
  • ensure correct selection of the most appropriate tools for the task.
  • ensure that all equipment is properly maintained.
  • minimise time exposed to noise and/or vibration (e.g. regular breaks, job rotation, etc).
  • provide suitable personal hearing protectors.
  • provide suitable training and information for all those exposed to noise and/or vibration

Purchase or Hire of Equipment

A key consideration when purchasing equipment must be obtaining equipment with the lowest noise and vibration characteristics. Purchasing decisions must give great emphasis to this. Whenever new equipment is to be purchased, the supplier’s information must be checked in advance and every effort made to ensure that equipment with the lowest noise and vibration levels and best protection is obtained.

The school will not purchase equipment posing noise and/or vibration risks solely on price comparison and must prioritise low vibration and noise within the “quality” aspect of the procurement process. Whilst this may mean that more expensive equipment must be bought, this will pay back over time with reduced health issues and all the corresponding costs.

When purchasing equipment, suppliers must provide information about the noise and/or vibration magnitudes their products are likely to create in normal use. This is a requirement of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.

When planning purchasing of equipment, first consider other methods of work that can eliminate or reduce exposure to noise and/or vibration, including automation or mechanisation of work previously done with hand-operated or hand-fed machines.

Any second-hand equipment must be assessed fully before being put into use. Second hand equipment must only be obtained if the noise and/or vibration characteristics are as good as equivalent new equipment. Otherwise, new equipment must be obtained instead.

When hiring equipment, liaison with prospective hire companies must take place to ensure that the most appropriate equipment is selected for the task and that it will expose the operator to the lowest level of noise and/or vibration that is achievable. The hiring of equipment must not be based solely on lowest cost and must prioritise low vibration and noise within the quality aspect of the procurement process.

Maintenance of Equipment

Appropriate maintenance of equipment is vital to ensure that noise and/or vibration is minimised. Planned preventative maintenance arrangements must be in place for such equipment and reactive maintenance only undertaken when issues are identified between planned maintenance activities. All power tools must be inspected regularly for damage and serviced/maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’/suppliers’ advice.

may be certain routine checks or preventative replacement of parts required, in which case these must be carried out at a set frequency and records kept as part of planned preventative maintenance arrangements. This is to ensure that the equipment is maintained in its most efficient state and the best noise/vibration performance is sustained during its operational lifetime.

Training and Information

If there is a risk to the health of staff or students from exposure to noise and/or vibration at work, or the exposure is likely to be at or above an exposure action value, then suitable information, instruction, training and supervision must be provided for those staff or students. 

Health Surveillance

Where health surveillance identifies that an individual is affected by HAVS or WBV, managers must follow the advice of the Occupational Health team and health and safety adviser such that further exposure is eliminated or minimised as necessary. Where possible, this should be done in a way that creates the least change to work activities for the individual. In some cases, changes to duties may be needed.

Young People at Work

Regulation 19 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 places specific restrictions on the types of activities that young people (i.e. those below the age of 18) can be exposed to. Specifically, in relation to work posing a risk of noise or vibration exposure, it prohibits work which could expose the young person to levels of noise or vibration posing a risk to their health. Young people, including those on work experience, must therefore not be exposed to such levels of noise and/or vibration, except as allowed by the Regulations.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed every two years by the resources committee or sooner if required.