The New Noise – And Vibration OSH Ordinance

“The new noise – and vibration OSH Ordinance can shake many industries since the 8.3.2007 is the EU Directive 2002/44/EC vibration” transposed into German law. You deals with the effect of vibrations on the people, and how it effectively can be protected from damage. This concerns the so-called hand-arm vibration, caused by the various machines such as drills or vibrating machines. On the other hand, also vibrations affecting the whole body covered by the directive. They occur courier vehicles and forklift trucks both in construction machinery and trucks, taxis, to name just a few examples. The impact on the companies involved are enormous. topic. The bottom line is that many branches of which are affected: the directive lays down clear trip and exposure limits, if exceeded, the employer must be active. Others including cardiologist, offer their opinions as well. This does not happen, he commits an offence, and his staff ill therefore, so is an offence.

The monitoring of the Measures is whether the trade associations involved in the transposition into German law. The vibration load considered in a period of eight hours. It involves systems or whole body specified in m/s 2 acceleration of the hand-arm. She may cause harm over a longer period. Therefore, of the exposure is achieved for hand-arm vibrations at 2,5 m/s, for whole-body vibrations at 0.5 m/s, at controlling against measures are prescribed. The relevant exposure limit 5 m/s, for whole-body vibrations 1.15 m/s for the horizontal polarization direction, and, with some exceptions for older machines, 0.8 m/s vertical vibration direction for hand-arm vibrations. He must not be exceeded. These values can be reached quickly, particularly when driving not paved area or longer working with machines that are causing an increased hand-arm load.

This can, for example result that the employees may no longer work a full working day or on a machine, but only for a certain number of hours. Therefore, a considerable need for advice will arise on the part of the establishments concerned: you arises the question of how they can implement the new regulation economically defensible within your own company. Dr.-ing. Siegfried Fischer works in the Department of 4 work design – physical agents of the Institute for occupational safety and the German statutory accident insurance in St. Augustine as head of unit vibration. He was involved in the consultation on the implementation of the directive. In an interview, he gave answers to essential questions on the topic. Meanwhile, the vibration directive is transposed into German law. How come the limits set? Dr. Siegfried Fischer: The exposure limit values are achieved – particularly for whole-body vibrations – as political limits. You wanted to hinder technically no branches of the economy and argued that the exposure limit value no needs to be safe value. Because from the exposure, the entrepreneur must be already active. That is, he must take technical and organisational measures, he must provide any personal protection equipment, he must inform the employee, he must train him in the use, he must inform the customer on the threat, and he has to offer the preventative.