Hand-arm and whole-body vibration exposure assessment against ISO 5349, ISO 2631, and EU Physical Agents Directive
How to use
Enter the frequency-weighted RMS acceleration value (ahv) for each tool or task and the daily exposure duration. Multiple tools can be combined. The daily vibration exposure value A(8) is calculated per ISO 5349-1 and compared against EU Physical Agents Directive (2002/44/EC) action and limit values.
Tools / exposure periods
Daily exposure value A(8)
A(8) — daily vibration exposure—
Exposure Action Value (EAV)2.5 m/s²
Exposure Limit Value (ELV)5.0 m/s²
EAV (2.5 m/s²) ELV (5.0 m/s²)
Enter values above
Task contributions to daily exposure
EU PAD 2002/44/EC — Limit reference
Parameter
EAV
ELV
Obligation at EAV
Hand-arm A(8)
2.5 m/s²
5.0 m/s²
Health surveillance, training, controls programme
Short-term peak
Transient values > ELV must be controlled
—
A(8) = ahv × √(T/T₀) where T₀ = 8 hours. For multiple tools: A(8) = √[Σ(ahv,i² × Ti) / T₀]. Vibration magnitudes must be measured with instrumentation meeting ISO 8041. The EU Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive 2002/44/EC is implemented in national legislation. Standard: ISO 5349-1:2001, ISO 5349-2:2001.
How to use
Enter the frequency-weighted RMS acceleration for each axis (z-axis for vertical seat vibration, x/y for horizontal). The daily vibration dose A(8) is calculated per ISO 2631-1 and compared against EU Physical Agents Directive (2002/44/EC) values. Where data permits, vibration dose value (VDV) is also calculated.
Axis weighting method
Daily exposure value A(8)
A(8) — daily vibration exposure—
Exposure Action Value (EAV)0.5 m/s²
Exposure Limit Value (ELV)1.15 m/s²
EAV (0.5 m/s²) ELV (1.15 m/s²)
Enter values above
Vibration Dose Value (VDV) — estimated—
VDV EAV: 9.1 m/s1.75 | VDV ELV: 21 m/s1.75
Weighted axis components
EU PAD 2002/44/EC — Limit reference
Parameter
EAV
ELV
Whole-body A(8)
0.5 m/s²
1.15 m/s²
Whole-body VDV
9.1 m/s1.75
21 m/s1.75
A(8) calculated per ISO 2631-1:1997. Dominant axis method: A(8) = max(aw,z, 1.4×aw,x, 1.4×aw,y) × √(T/T₀). VDV estimated as VDV ≈ aw × (T × 3600)0.25. WBV assessment should include seat and floor measurements where applicable. Health effects data primarily derive from ISO 2631-1 Annex C guidance.