Section 14-1. Risk assessment of health hazards associated with noise and mechanical vibrations

The employer shall map and document the extent to which the employees are exposed to noise and vibrations and assess any risks to their health and safety that such exposure might entail.
The scope of assessments and noise measurements shall enable the determination of the noise exposure suffered by employees compared with the lower action values; see the Regulations concerning Action and Limit Values.
In the case of vibrations, the daily exposure values shall be mapped by recording work execution with particular emphasis on working methods, the intensity of vibrations and vibration information of relevance to the specific work situations, including information from the equipment manufacturer. When necessary, the employer shall carry out measurements of vibration exposure.
The risk assessment shall pay particular attention to the following:
  1. a.
    the level, type and duration of the exposure and exposure to impulse noise such as impacts and bursts, variations in the vibration level and recurring bursts;
  2. b.
    effects on the health and safety of employees who are particularly exposed to risk;
  3. c.
    insofar as it is possible, any effects on the health and safety of employees as a result of the combined effect of noise and chemical substances and noise and vibrations at work;
  4. d.
    how the noise affects the possibility of recognising warning signals or other sounds that must be audible in order to reduce the risk of an accident;
  5. e.
    indirect effects on the employees’ health and safety due to interactions between vibrations and the work site or the work equipment;
  6. f.
    action values and limit values for daily exposure to vibrations; see Chapters 2 and 3 of the Regulations concerning Action and Limit Values;
  7. g.
    the manufacturers’ information about the noise and vibration level of the work equipment;
  8. h.
    whether alternative work equipment exists that generates less noise and exposure to vibrations;
  9. i.
    exposure to noise and whole-body vibrations other than during ordinary working hours for which the employer is responsible;
  10. j.
    insofar as it is possible, relevant information from medical examinations and other published information;
  11. k.
    increased health risk because of the combined effect of vibrations and other factors in the workplace; and
  12. l.
    availability of hearing protection that provides sufficient attenuation.