Why Anti Vibration is Needed in the Workplace

Why is anti-vibration important in construction?

Vibrations can emanate from all types of machinery—from hand-held tools to larger units that operate themselves.

The use of hand-held power tools can lead to a condition called hand-arm vibration. This syndrome can cause painful health issues affecting the blood vessels, nerves, and joints. Like hand-arm vibration syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome is also a risk of vibrations in the workplace. The two issues can cause related symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and wrist.

In the way that hand-held tools can cause localised pain, prolonged driving of vehicles over uneven surfaces can cause a condition called whole body vibration in construction workers.

Whole-body vibration is transmitted through the seat or feet of employees who drive industrial machinery or work vehicles over rough and uneven surfaces. The action of driving over bumpy surfaces can cause shocks and jolts which can lead to health issues such as back pain.

To help prevent these conditions, employers have a duty to minimise employee’s exposure to excessive vibration. The HSE regulation Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 quantifies the following levels of vibration:

• Exposure Action Value (EAV, 2.5m/s2) - employers must implement operational and technical measures to reduce exposure.

• Exposure Limit Value (ELV, 5.0m/s2) which should not be exceeded in any cases.

What’s more, the Construction Industry Council recommend ways in which to reduce the exposure to vibrations even further. They advocate the use of machine-mounted hydraulic breakers, floor saws, and hydraulic crushers instead of hand-operated hammers and breakers. Similarly, the British Tunnelling Society state that hand digging techniques should be replaced with mechanised tunnelling methods to protect the health of construction workers.

To prevent whole-body vibration, it is crucial to choose machinery and vehicles that is ergonomically designed. They should feature the right choice of seats and tyres. The workplace should be designed to reduce the need for transporting materials, and employees should be aware of health and safety guidelines and the necessity of rest breaks.

While hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration syndrome is permanent, these conditions can be easily prevented by following good practice guidelines.

Protecting the public

In the construction industry, you have a duty of care to not only your workers but the public who are exposed to the building of your project.

It goes without saying that part of your construction plan is to ensure the site is safe and secure to prevent accident or injury. However, the effect of noise and vibration on the community is another real issue that must be mitigated.

To avoid vibration complaints, there should be early identification and assessment of potential problem areas. When it comes to managing the expectations of the general public, communication is key. It is vital that construction vibration is planned and publicised, so the public know what to expect.

Whether in contained industrial workplaces or public spaces, you can rely on Elesa to help you minimise vibrations for the benefit of your workers, machinery, and wider community.

The best way to maintain vibration levels—and keep them below the thresholds outlined by the HSE regulation Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005—is to use anti-vibration products. Our wide range of anti-vibration mounts have been expertly designed to absorb and isolate vibrations for a stress-free experience.

In our catalogue, you will find the following anti-vibration components:

Rubber buffers

Manufactured with rubber and high-quality steel, our buffers perfectly dampen vibrations and noise produced by industrial equipment. They are available in a range of shapes, styles, and sizes, including in medical grade silicone for use in the catering and pharmaceutical industries.

These small but mighty components absorb vibrations to prolong the life of your machinery and prevent damage to operator health and wellbeing.

Levelling feet

Our vibration-damping levelling and adjustable feet are available with a steel or technopolymer base. They have been ergonomically designed to dampen vibrations, shocks, and noises produced by machinery.

The Elesa steel levelling feet are resistant to oils and temperatures from -30°C to +70°C, making them ideal for use in the food industry.

Flange mounts

Elesa flange anti-vibration mounts are designed for use with applications with rotary machines that do not present big dynamic imbalances such as:

• Compressors
• Fans
• Vibrating feeders
• Rotary pumps
• Electric motors

These components are available for floor, wall, and ceiling mounting.

With robust materials that will fit seamlessly into your workplace, Elesa’s range of anti-vibration mounts and isolators can help prevent noise, machinery malfunction, and damage to health. For the full range, visit the Elesa catalogue.