Rank: Forum user 
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Hi, The local council sub-contractors are out in force carrying out their usual landscaping activities. There are a lot of young people with either large petrol strimmers or large petrol blowers strapped to their bodies for hours on end. I just thought that I would ask one or two of them about their understanding of vibration and the effects it can have. Surprise – Surprise! None of them knew anything about it and their employers hadn’t told them anything. I suggested to them that the best way to use this equipment for extensive periods of time is to have it mounted on a trolley to suit. Their response was “ we can’t say anything because we will get the sack”. What a sorry state of affairs! Cheers Andy
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Rank: New forum user
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To get involved or not to get involved.
I would just wing an email to the responsible person and sleep better at night.
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Rank: Forum user
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With all due respect this is the real world
When we TUPE'd our staff over to the contractors I asked their director what info they wanted re our vibration management system e.g. records, training, measurements etc. - the answer was 'nothing'; as we will not be bothering with such things & the chances of the HSE getting interested is very very low and most of the TUPE'd staff will be gone in a year anyway! Alas his predictions have come true
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Only to be expected when clients (local authorities) always pick the cheapest tender and no questions asked.
The taxpayer then picks up the consequences via NHS and benefits payouts further down the line.
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Rank: Super forum user
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What is the vibration rating of these strimmers/blowers (m/s2)? I would be surprised if they even produce enough vibration to be a concern
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Strimmers and brush cutters are a medium to high risk, more so if not maintained and adjusted properly.
Leaf Blowers, not so much.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi, The way that these operatives work is that the equipment is in constant use for virtually the whole of the working day. Surely excessive, sustained vibration levels are being transferred to the operative’s upper body. In the case of these large strimmers / bushcutters it is via the body harness that is worn to support the item. In the case of the large blowers the operative actually has the petrol motor strapped to their back. Andy
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: AndyMcCluskey  Hi, The way that these operatives work is that the equipment is in constant use for virtually the whole of the working day. Surely excessive, sustained vibration levels are being transferred to the operative’s upper body. In the case of these large strimmers / bushcutters it is via the body harness that is worn to support the item. In the case of the large blowers the operative actually has the petrol motor strapped to their back. Andy
To me it's simply a case of finding out the vibration rating of the equipment, popping it into the HSE calculator and seeing if there's an issue. If the calculator shows that the operatives are regularly being exposed to vibration levels above the EAV or ELV then you've got a strong argument backed up by facts. Without this though you may well be getting worried over nothing.
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