QinetiQ Ltd
The Recent Changes to European Noise and Vibration Legislation

Thomas P. Gunston and Susan H. James

The 'Physical Agents' directives on the control of exposure to vibration and noise were ratified at European level in 2002 and 2003 respectively and have, or will soon, come into force as national legislation for all EC member countries. The directives set 'action' and 'limit' values for noise, hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration and require the risks to personnel due to noise and vibration to be understood and controlled. This paper summarises the origins, content and some of the implications of the directives.