Hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposure points calculator
The calculator needs JavaScript. The worked example, formula and figures below show exactly how it works, so you can do the sum yourself. A guide, not advice. Check your supplier's or maker's figures before ordering.
Short answer
Worked example
| You enter | Value |
|---|---|
| Tools used today | Breaker: vibration magnitude 5 m/s², trigger time 120 min |
| Exposure action value, A | 2.5 m/s² |
| Exposure limit value, A | 5 m/s² |
100 points today: reached the exposure action value: action is needed to reduce exposure
- Advisory Points against the exposure action value: 100 points UK-wide: Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4. Check with the source
- Within the guidance Points against the exposure limit value: 100 points UK-wide: Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4. Check with the source
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Exposure points today | 100 |
| Daily exposure A(8) | 2.5 m/s² |
| Exposure action value in points | 100 |
| Exposure limit value in points | 400 |
| Trigger time to the action value (this tool alone) | 2 h |
| Trigger time to the limit value (this tool alone) | 8 h |
| Tool | Magnitude | Trigger minutes | Points | Hours to action value | Hours to limit value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breaker | 5 m/s² | 120 | 100 | 2 | 8 |
Show the working
- Action value: 2 × 2.5² × 8 h = 100 points; limit value: 2 × 5² × 8 h = 400 points
- Breaker: 2 × 5² × 2 h = 100 points; A(8) = 5 × √(2 ÷ 8) = 2.5 m/s²; to the action value 2 h, to the limit value 8 h
How it works
- Points per tool = 2 × a² × T, with a the vibration magnitude (m/s²) and T the trigger time in hours
- A(8) per tool = a × √(T ÷ 8); daily A(8) = √(sum of each tool's A(8)²)
- Action value in points = 2 × 2.5² × 8 = 100; limit value in points = 2 × 5² × 8 = 400
- Trigger time to reach a points total = points ÷ (2 × a²)
Reaching the action value means action is needed to reduce exposure; below it, still reduce exposure as far as reasonably practicable.
Anti-vibration gloves are not a control measure on their own (HSE): choose lower-vibration tools and methods, and limit trigger time.
HSE's own ready reckoner is the authority: use it to check these figures.
Our default (adjustable)
These are typical planning figures and our own allowances, not facts about your product. Change any of them in the calculator to match your bag, pack or tin.
| Figure | Our default (adjustable) | Kind | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure action value, A | 2.5 m/s² A(8) | Regulation or HSE figure Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4: daily exposure action value (100 HSE points) Not yet checked against the source | hse.gov.uk (checked 19 October 2026) brief v2 S2: EAV 2.5 m/s² A(8) = 100 points. Researcher to confirm, and the Northern Ireland regulations (2005 NI) equivalent. |
| Exposure limit value, A | 5 m/s² A(8) | Regulation or HSE figure Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4: daily exposure limit value (400 HSE points) Not yet checked against the source | hse.gov.uk (checked 19 October 2026) brief v2 S2: ELV 5 m/s² A(8) = 400 points. Researcher to confirm, and the Northern Ireland equivalent. |
Regulations and standards
- Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, reg. 4 (exposure action value 2.5 m/s² A(8), exposure limit value 5 m/s² A(8))
- HSE hand-arm vibration exposure ready reckoner
Explained: Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
The 2005 Regulations cover Great Britain; Northern Ireland has its own regulations with the same values. Researcher to confirm.