HAVS Calculator
Work out daily hand-arm vibration exposure using the HSE points system. Add each vibrating tool an operative will use today with its realistic trigger time, and the calculator totals the exposure points against the Exposure Action Value (100 points) and Exposure Limit Value (400 points) from the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
How the Points System Works
Exposure points grow with the square of vibration magnitude — a 10 m/s² breaker generates points sixteen times faster than a 2.5 m/s² sander, which is why halving trigger time on the highest-vibration tool usually does more than any other single control. Points from every tool used in the day add together: 100 points is the EAV (2.5 m/s² A(8)), where the Regulations require action — controls, planning, and health surveillance. 400 points is the ELV (5.0 m/s² A(8)), which must not be exceeded on any working day.
As a guide at typical magnitudes: a road breaker at 12 m/s² reaches the EAV in around 21 minutes of trigger time and the ELV in around 83; a hammer drill at 9 m/s² in roughly 37 and 148; an angle grinder at 6 m/s² in roughly 83 and 333. Only the time the tool is actually running counts — trigger time is commonly overestimated, so time a representative sample of the work rather than guessing.
What This Tool Does and Doesn't Do
The calculator shows where a planned day sits against the legal thresholds, which is one input to the vibration risk assessment the Regulations require. A complete assessment also covers who is exposed, the controls (lower-vibration methods, job rotation, tool maintenance), health surveillance for anyone regularly over the EAV, and review arrangements. Preset magnitudes are typical figures — use manufacturer or measured data for your actual equipment where available. RAMS AI generates vibration hazard sections within complete RAMS documents.