The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign highlighting the long-term health risks associated with workplace noise and vibration, encouraging employers to take action before permanent damage occurs.
Launched on 13 October 2026, the campaign focuses on preventing occupational hearing loss, tinnitus and Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), reminding employers that exposure to everyday workplace equipment can have serious, life-changing consequences.
According to the HSE, approximately 15,000 workers develop hearing problems caused or made worse by their work every year, while an estimated one in five workers are exposed to harmful levels of noise in the workplace.
The campaign delivers a clear message: Assess. Control. Protect.
Noise and vibration are common hazards across many industries, particularly construction, manufacturing, engineering, agriculture, maintenance and utilities.
Employees working with power tools, machinery and vibrating equipment can be regularly exposed to these hazards, often without recognising the potential impact on their health.
Unlike many workplace accidents, the effects of noise and vibration exposure are not always immediately noticeable. Damage can develop gradually over months or years, with symptoms sometimes appearing only after irreversible harm has occurred.
Noise exposure can lead to:
Vibration exposure, particularly from handheld power tools and machinery, can contribute to:
These conditions can affect far more than an individual’s ability to work. Everyday activities, such as fastening buttons, holding objects or enjoying conversations with family and friends, can become difficult.
This highlights why preventative action is essential.
The HSE’s new campaign encourages employers to take a straightforward, practical approach to managing workplace noise and vibration.
The first step is identifying where employees may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise or vibration.
Employers should consider the equipment being used, how frequently it is operated, the duration of exposure and which employees may be at risk.
Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are essential for identifying hazards and determining the measures required to manage them effectively.
Where risks are identified, employers should take steps to eliminate or minimise exposure wherever reasonably practicable. This would be thought a workplace noise risk assessment and a vibration risk assessment / HAVS risk assessment.
This may include:
Importantly, personal protective equipment should not be viewed as a replacement for effective risk management. Employers should prioritise reducing exposure at source.
Where risks remain, employers must ensure appropriate protective measures are in place.
These can include suitable hearing protection and clear information, instruction and training.
Employees should understand the risks associated with their work, recognise early warning signs and feel confident reporting any symptoms or concerns.
Creating an environment where occupational health is discussed openly can help identify potential problems before they become more serious.
Alongside the HSE's Assess, Control and Protect approach, employers should also consider how workplace health is monitored over time. Regular monitoring and appropriate health surveillance can help identify early signs of HAVS, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and other work-related symptoms.
Where symptoms are identified, concerns are raised, or an employee is considered to be at increased risk, they should be referred for further assessment and support from a suitably qualified Occupational Health Practitioner. This provides an additional level of health surveillance, supports early intervention and helps employers determine whether any adjustments to working practices, exposure levels or duties may be required. A separate HAVS health surveillance and hearing health surveillance programme should be implemented.
In simple terms: Monitor → Identify → Refer → Support.
Managing workplace noise and vibration is not simply good practice. It is also a legal responsibility.
Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, employers are required to assess and control relevant risks to employees’ health.
These responsibilities include identifying hazards, implementing suitable control measures, providing appropriate information and training, and arranging health surveillance where necessary.
Employers must also ensure that applicable exposure limits are not exceeded.
Effective management requires more than completing an initial risk assessment. Workplace conditions, equipment and procedures can change, making regular monitoring and reviews essential.
By taking a proactive approach, organisations can protect employees, support legal compliance and reduce the likelihood of occupational ill health.
The HSE’s campaign reinforces an important point: workplace health and safety is not limited to preventing immediate accidents and injuries.
Long-term occupational health risks deserve the same level of attention.
Managers, supervisors and employees all have a role to play in recognising hazards, following safe working procedures and raising concerns when appropriate.
While employers retain their legal responsibilities, ensuring that those involved in day-to-day operations understand the risks can make a significant difference.
Health and safety training helps individuals develop the knowledge and confidence to recognise workplace hazards, understand control measures and contribute to a safer working environment.
At Raeburn Training, we provide practical HAVS awareness and Noise at Work training to help employers and employees better understand the risks associated with workplace noise and vibration.
Our HAVS training can be delivered as a standalone topic and is also incorporated within relevant Abrasive Wheels awareness and practical training. Both HAVS and Noise at Work are addressed within our REHIS Elementary Health and Safety training, while managers and supervisors can develop a broader understanding of assessing and managing workplace health and safety risks through IOSH Managing Safely.
Whether you are looking to raise employee awareness, support supervisors or strengthen your organisation's approach to noise and vibration risk management, Raeburn Training can help identify the most appropriate training for your workforce.
One of the strongest messages from the HSE’s campaign is that employers should not wait until workers experience hearing difficulties, numbness or pain before taking action.
By that stage, some damage may already be permanent.
Taking time to assess risks, review existing controls and ensure employees understand the hazards associated with their work can help prevent conditions that may otherwise affect individuals for the rest of their lives.
Workplace noise and vibration may be part of everyday operations, but permanent damage to employees’ health should never be accepted as an inevitable consequence.
If your organisation has employees who regularly use power tools, vibrating equipment or work in noisy environments, now is a good time to review your existing arrangements.
Raeburn Training provides HAVS awareness, Noise at Work and accredited health and safety training for businesses across Scotland and throughout the UK.
Contact our team to discuss your training requirements or visit www.raeburntraining.co.uk to explore our range of health and safety courses.
For further details on the HSE’s official campaign, visit HSE – Noise and Vibration: Assess. Control. Protect.
