Vibration Exposure Register

Educational guidance on registers and logs — what each records, who maintains it, what it typically contains and how long it is generally kept. Informational only — template examples, not official documents or legal advice; a register documents activity, it does not by itself prove compliance, and employers remain responsible.

What a vibration exposure register is

A vibration exposure register summarises assessments of hand-arm and whole-body vibration — tasks using grinders, breakers, drills or vibrating vehicles — with the exposure judged and the controls that limit it.

This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what is assessed and how the register is kept. It does not state any vibration figures or limits.

Purpose

• Show where vibration has been assessed and exposure judged.
• Record the controls — tool choice, limited use, maintenance.
• Identify who is exposed and to what type of vibration.
• Support health surveillance where exposure is significant.

Who maintains it

• A competent person carries out the assessment.
• A safety lead keeps the register current.
• Workers using vibrating tools provide input.
• The employer decides scope and ownership.

When it is used

• When a task using vibrating equipment is assessed.
• When tools, methods or usage patterns change.
• When reviewing tool choice and trigger-time controls.
• When deciding on health surveillance.

Typical fields

• Task or tool assessed and date.
• A general exposure judgement (without stating figures here).
• Controls in place — tool selection, usage limits, maintenance.
• Who is affected and any further action.
• Link to the full assessment and review date.
• Example columns only — adapt to your workplace and the applicable law.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring how long tools are actually used each day.
• Using poorly maintained tools that vibrate more.
• Not identifying who is exposed.
• Not linking significant exposure to health surveillance.

Document workflow

A vibration exposure register draws on risk assessment and links to health: vibrating-tool tasks are assessed, summarised here with their controls, and significant exposure may feed a health surveillance register entry. Outstanding controls become safety actions.

See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a vibration exposure entry.

Retention (high level)

Vibration assessments and related health records are generally kept for a period set by the applicable law and the employer’s obligations, and health records may need long retention. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.

Completing and sharing as a PDF

Vibration registers are often held in a system and exported to PDF for review. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make it official or prove compliance.

Employer checklist

• Assess vibrating-tool tasks and consider tool choice and usage time.
• Maintain tools so they do not vibrate more than needed.
• Identify who is exposed and the controls for them.
• Link significant exposure to health surveillance.

Worker notes

• Use the right tool and follow any usage-time limits.
• Report tools that vibrate more than usual.
• Take part in any health surveillance offered.

Country considerations

Vibration duties, action levels and health surveillance vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law or figures and not legal advice.

Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.

Who is responsible

The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling vibration exposure and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.