An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a hand-arm vibration exposure record is
A hand-arm vibration exposure record documents which vibrating hand tools workers use, on which tasks, and for roughly how long, so that the employer can manage the risk of conditions linked to vibration. It supports the assessment and control of exposure rather than replacing 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 how vibration exposure is assessed and recorded.
Purpose
- Record the vibrating tools and tasks workers are involved in.
- Support assessment of who is most exposed.
- Provide a basis for control measures and job rotation.
- Link exposure to any health surveillance for vibration.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer, with input from users.
- Supervisors may help capture tool use and task patterns.
- The employer decides how exposure is estimated and recorded.
- The record is kept within the organisation’s own process.
When it is used
- Where workers regularly use vibrating hand tools.
- When tools, tasks or work patterns change.
- When a new task introduces vibration exposure.
- On a review cycle the employer defines.
Typical fields
- Worker name, role and area.
- Vibrating tools used and the tasks they are used for.
- Approximate usage pattern for the work.
- Controls in place, such as tool choice or rotation.
- Any link to vibration health surveillance.
- Example fields only — adapt to the tools, tasks and applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Recording tool ownership but not who actually uses them.
- Ignoring tool condition, which affects vibration.
- Relying on the record instead of reducing exposure.
- No link between exposure and health surveillance.
Document workflow
A vibration exposure record usually flows from the task risk assessment and informs control measures and any health surveillance arranged through an occupational health referral. It is used with the wider health surveillance record and is reviewed when tools, tasks or work patterns change.
See the related documents below for what is commonly completed before, alongside and after a hand-arm vibration exposure record.
Retention (high level)
Vibration exposure records are generally kept for as long as exposure continues and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Vibration exposure records are commonly stored as PDFs alongside the assessment and any surveillance records. Exporting to PDF supports documentation and version control; it does not make the record official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Reduce vibration exposure at source where you can.
- Capture who actually uses vibrating tools and for what.
- Maintain tools, since condition affects vibration.
- Link exposure to control measures and any surveillance.
Worker notes
- Use the right tool for the task and keep it in good condition.
- Follow rotation and rest arrangements where they apply.
- Report tingling, numbness or other symptoms early.
Country considerations
Most countries require vibration risk to be assessed and controlled, but the detail, thresholds and records differ, and the official authority is different in each. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a record is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the 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, arranging surveillance where required and acting on the outcome — and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine your duties, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
Free, printable HR & employment resources
Practical, ungated resources to put this into action — no signup.