Hand-arm vibration, tool by tool

20 tools you will find on a UK site, each with a typical vibration magnitude, the HSE points it racks up per hour on trigger, and how quickly it reaches the 100-point action value and 400-point limit. Worst first.

Add a whole day up in the free HAVS calculator. Also in the library: noise, COSHH and risk assessments.

• Breaker / Kango (heavy)
  18 m/s² · 648 points/hour · action value in 9 min
• Trench Rammer
  15 m/s² · 450 points/hour · action value in 13 min
• Scabbler / Needle Gun
  14 m/s² · 392 points/hour · action value in 15 min
• Breaker / Kango (medium)
  12 m/s² · 288 points/hour · action value in 21 min
• Plate Compactor / Wacker
  10 m/s² · 200 points/hour · action value in 30 min
• SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
  9 m/s² · 162 points/hour · action value in 37 min
• Jigsaw
  8 m/s² · 128 points/hour · action value in 47 min
• Impact Wrench (air)
  7 m/s² · 98 points/hour · action value in 1 h 1 min
• Reciprocating Saw
  7 m/s² · 98 points/hour · action value in 1 h 1 min
• Rivet Gun
  7 m/s² · 98 points/hour · action value in 1 h 1 min
• Angle Grinder / Disc Cutter
  6 m/s² · 72 points/hour · action value in 1 h 23 min
• Chainsaw
  6 m/s² · 72 points/hour · action value in 1 h 23 min
• Core Drill
  5 m/s² · 50 points/hour · action value in 2 h
• Impact Wrench (cordless)
  5 m/s² · 50 points/hour · action value in 2 h
• Strimmer / Brush Cutter
  5 m/s² · 50 points/hour · action value in 2 h
• Nail Gun (1st fix)
  4 m/s² · 32 points/hour · action value in 3 h 8 min
• Circular Saw (handheld)
  4 m/s² · 32 points/hour · action value in 3 h 8 min
• Floor Polisher / Sander
  4 m/s² · 32 points/hour · action value in 3 h 8 min
• Magnetic Drill (Mag Drill)
  3 m/s² · 18 points/hour · action value in 5 h 33 min
• Chop Saw / Mitre Saw
  3 m/s² · 18 points/hour · action value in 5 h 33 min