In brief
The vibration regulation sets two thresholds for 8-hour daily exposure: for hand-arm vibration, an action value of 2.5 m/s² and a limit value of 5 m/s²; for whole-body vibration, an action value of 0.5 m/s² and a limit value of 1.15 m/s². If the action value is exceeded, a plan of technical and organisational measures and health surveillance are mandatory; the limit value may never be exceeded under any circumstances. An estimate made with the manufacturer's vibration data is useful for prioritising, but under the regulation it does not replace measurement.
What does the vibration regulation cover?
The vibration regulation addresses within the same framework the numbness in the fingers of a construction worker using a breaker and the back pain of an operator driving an excavator on rough ground all day. Its full name is the Regulation on the Protection of Employees from Risks Related to Vibration; it was published in Official Gazette No. 28743 of 22 August 2013 and repealed the old vibration regulation of 2003. It applies to all workplaces within the scope of Law No. 6331.
The regulation distinguishes between two types of vibration:
- Hand-arm vibration: Vibration transmitted to the hands and arms from hand-held or hand-guided tools. Breakers, drills, grinders, impact wrenches and concrete vibrators are typical sources. It can cause vascular, neurological, muscular and joint disorders.
- Whole-body vibration: Vibration transmitted to the whole body through the seat or the floor stood on. Construction machinery, forklifts, trucks and tractors are typical sources. It is associated especially with disorders of the lower back.
Vibration limit values and action values
Art. 5 of the regulation sets the following values for daily exposure normalised to an 8-hour working period:
| Type of vibration | Action value | Limit value |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-arm | 2.5 m/s² | 5 m/s² |
| Whole-body | 0.5 m/s² | 1.15 m/s² |
Each threshold triggers a different obligation:
- Below the action value: The risk is addressed in the assessment and minimised at source; general prevention principles apply.
- If the action value is exceeded (Art. 8): The employer prepares and implements an action plan consisting of technical and organisational measures. Under Art. 12, in this case health surveillance of employees is carried out in all cases.
- Limit value (Art. 9): Exposure may never exceed the limit value under any circumstances. If it is exceeded despite all measures, the employer immediately brings exposure below the limit, identifies the reason it was exceeded and prevents a recurrence.
Estimating exposure from equipment data
Daily exposure is expressed as A(8): the vibration magnitude of the tool (a) and the time actually spent with that tool per day (T) both enter the calculation. For a single tool, the calculation is:
A(8) = a × √(T / 8)
Art. 6 of the regulation requires the assessment to take into account observations of the work done with the equipment used and information on vibration magnitude, including information obtained from the manufacturer. The vibration value declared in machine manuals is therefore the source of the first estimate.
Example (with representative values): A breaker whose manual declares a vibration value of 12 m/s² is actually used for 1.5 hours a day.
- A(8) = 12 × √(1.5 / 8) = 12 × 0.433 ≈ 5.2 m/s² → above the limit value.
- Time to reach the action value: 8 × (2.5 / 12)² ≈ 0.35 hours, i.e. about 21 minutes.
- Time to reach the limit value: 8 × (5 / 12)² ≈ 1.39 hours, i.e. about 83 minutes.
If the same employee uses more than one tool during the day, A(8) is calculated separately for each and the square root of the sum of their squares is taken. A person working with a breaker for 1 hour (A₁ ≈ 4.2 m/s²) and with a grinder vibrating at 4 m/s² for 2 hours (A₂ = 2.0 m/s²) has a daily exposure of √(4.2² + 2.0²) ≈ 4.7 m/s²: above the action value and just below the limit value.
The table below shows how long it takes to reach the thresholds for hand-arm vibration at different vibration magnitudes:
| Tool vibration value | Reaching the action value (2.5) | Reaching the limit value (5) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 m/s² | 8 hours | Not reached in 8 hours |
| 5 m/s² | 2 hours | 8 hours |
| 7.5 m/s² | about 53 minutes | about 3.5 hours |
| 10 m/s² | 30 minutes | 2 hours |
| 15 m/s² | about 13 minutes | about 53 minutes |
| 20 m/s² | about 8 minutes | 30 minutes |
For whole-body vibration, the calculation is done on three axes. Values measured on the horizontal axes (fore-aft and lateral) are multiplied by 1.4, the value on the vertical axis is taken as is, and the highest is used. That is why, on a loader rocking over rough ground, the horizontal axis may be more decisive than the vertical.
Vibration measurement: when and how?
If the estimate gives a result approaching or exceeding the action value, or if employees have vibration-related complaints, a measurement is planned. The annexes to the regulation set out the measurement method: hand-arm vibration is measured according to TS EN ISO 5349-1 and 5349-2, and for tools used with both hands each hand is measured separately and the higher value is used. Whole-body vibration is measured according to TS ISO 2631-1 and TS EN 1032.
The measurement is carried out by a laboratory holding a proficiency or preliminary proficiency certificate from the General Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety, which notifies ISG-KATİP, the Ministry's online OHS registration system, of the measurement at least 3 days in advance. Bursa Sistemer does not have its own laboratory; we plan measurements with authorised laboratories and enter the results into the risk assessment. The assessment and measurement results are kept for presentation during inspections (Art. 6/5). We described which measurement becomes mandatory in which situation in our article on workplaces where environmental measurements are mandatory.
Measures for machine operators and hand tools
Art. 8 lists the measures that may be included in the action plan: other working methods, choosing low-vibration equipment, auxiliary equipment such as seats and handles, maintenance programmes, workplace layout, information and training, limiting the duration of exposure, rest breaks, and clothing that protects against cold and damp. Apply these in the order of the hierarchy of controls.
Construction machinery operators (whole-body):
- Seat: A suspension seat is useless if it is not adjusted to the operator's weight. Have the operator adjust it at the start of every shift; put worn suspension on the maintenance plan.
- Site roads: Smoothing out potholes and bumps on site roads directly reduces vibration on the machine. Our article on excavation and trench measures also gives ideas on road maintenance at excavation sites.
- Speed and driving: Reducing speed on rough ground significantly reduces shock vibration.
- Tyre and track maintenance: Correct tyre pressure and track tension affect vibration.
- Duration and rotation: Using a transporter instead of driving the machine under its own power over long distances, and rotating tasks between operators, break up exposure.
Hand tools (hand-arm):
- When purchasing, choose tools with a low declared vibration value; for breakers and drills, prefer models with vibration-damped handles.
- Blunt bits and unbalanced wheels increase vibration; write bit and wheel replacement into the maintenance plan.
- Cold hands increase the effect of vibration. On construction sites in winter, provide heated break areas and dry gloves.
- The effect of gloves sold as anti-vibration is limited depending on frequency; the real solution lies at source and in exposure time.
Noise and vibration often come together from the same tool; for the thresholds on the noise side, see our article on the noise regulation.
Health surveillance and information
Under Art. 12, health surveillance is carried out in all cases when the action value is exceeded. If a health effect related to vibration is detected, the employee is informed, the risk assessment and measures are reviewed, the employee is moved to work without vibration if necessary, and other employees with similar exposure are also placed under regular surveillance.
For hand-arm vibration, the symptoms the physician looks for are numbness and tingling in the fingers, whitening in the cold and reduced grip strength; for whole-body vibration, lower back and back complaints come to the fore. The physician decides which tests to carry out according to exposure; we plan the necessary tests with authorised laboratories and health institutions. For examination frequencies, see our article on periodic examinations and tests, and for diagnosis and notification, the list of occupational diseases.
Art. 10 requires employees exposed to vibration to be given information and training on the measures taken, the action and limit values, measurement results, how to recognise and report signs of injury, and safe working practices.
On construction sites and at industrial facilities in Bursa and the surrounding provinces, entering vibration into the risk assessment is part of our risk assessment service, and monitoring exposed employees is part of our health surveillance service. You can track measurement and examination dates with the OHS calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the vibration limit values?
For 8-hour daily exposure, hand-arm vibration has an action value of 2.5 m/s² and a limit value of 5 m/s²; whole-body vibration has an action value of 0.5 m/s² and a limit value of 1.15 m/s².
Is vibration measurement mandatory?
The regulation requires vibration to be addressed in the risk assessment and measurements to be carried out where necessary. An assessment based on observation and manufacturer information does not replace measurement; for jobs approaching or exceeding the action value, a measurement should be planned.
Can the vibration value in the machine's manual be used?
Yes, for an initial estimate and prioritisation. The regulation requires manufacturer information to be taken into account, but also states explicitly that such an assessment does not replace measurement.
What happens if the action value is exceeded?
The employer prepares and implements an action plan consisting of technical and organisational measures, ensures health surveillance of exposed employees and informs employees.
A risk assessment that identifies and scores hazards on site, links each measure to an owner and a date, and has a clear renewal schedule.
Bursa SİSTEMER OSGB Technical Team — written from the field experience of our OHS specialists and workplace physicians. Legal information is valid as of the publication/update date; contact us for an assessment specific to your business.