HSENI safety initiative launched to support Transport and Logistics Sector workers

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has announced the launch of a new initiative specific to the Transport and Logistics Sector to raise awareness of the risk to drivers from 'Whole-Body Vibration' (WBV).

The campaign, scheduled to last until March 2025, will see Inspectors visit companies in the sector to offer information and preventative advice.

WBV is the shaking or jolting of the human body caused by transmission of vibrations through the seat or feet of employees who drive mobile machines, or other work vehicles, over rough or uneven surfaces as a main part of their job.

HSENI Principal Inspector (Transport Section) Kellie McNamara said: "The risk of WBV to road transport drivers can be reduced if work vehicles are properly maintained and have effective suspension.

"Vehicles regularly driven over poor surfaces such unmaintained yards can put a driver or operator at unnecessary risk."

HSENI is calling on the Transport and Logistics Sector to help safeguard workers by complying with The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005, which require that they:

• assess the vibration risk to employees
• if necessary, introduce a programme of controls to eliminate or reduce daily exposure (so far as is reasonably practicable)
• decide if workers are exposed above the daily exposure limit value as prescribed within the regulations and if necessary, take immediate action to reduce their exposure below the limit value
• provide information and training on health risks and controls to employees at risk
• involve relevant trade union safety representative(s) or employee representative(s) in discussions about the risks and any intended actions required
• keep a record of risk assessment and control actions
• review and update risk assessments regularly

Ms McNamara added: "While most exposure to WBV at work is unlikely on its own to cause back pain, it can pose a risk when there is unusually high vibration or jolting or the vibration is uncomfortable for a long time on most working days."

Practical guidance on how to effectively manage work-related Whole-body Vibration can be found at the following link:

Further information can also be found on our website at:

1. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE), and is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland: www.hseni.gov.uk
2. For media enquiries, please contact: HSENI Press Office on 028 9024 3249 or by email: [email protected]. For out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110

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