Vibration directive makes progress

Agreement has now been reached between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers on the text for the physical agents (vibration) directive which aims to control vibration risks associated with use of tools and other equipment

There have been significant amendments with reductions to the whole-body vibration daily exposure action value and to some of the transitional periods before the limits must apply when the regulations are implemented in 2005. These are now: two years for new equipment (down from three years originally); five years for existing equipment (down from six years); and nine years for existing equipment in agriculture and forestry (no change).

Barry Leathwood of the T&G general union's farm and rural workers' section attacked the delay in implementing the directive on farm equipment. "Agricultural workers in this most dangerous of industries are not asking for special treatment - if vibration from working long hours on tractors and other work equipment is a danger to their health, then measures to safeguard their health should apply equally to all workers."

There is now a six-week period from 8 April for the proposal to be voted on by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers. A formal signing to adopt the directive is expected before the end of May 2002. Following adoption, the Health and Safety Executive will begin drafting new regulations for public consultation and there will be a period of three years from the date of adoption for the UK to incorporate the directive into UK law.