Risk Assessment for Noise and Vibration on Construction Sites UK
By the Riskora Editorial Team · Reviewed against our editorial standards · Last reviewed
Workers exposed to noise or vibration? Riskora generates risk assessments covering exposure action values, hand-arm vibration, whole-body vibration, and hearing protection.
UK (RAMS) example document — Two-Storey Rear Extension — 14 Birchwood Lane, Reading. Client: Mr & Mrs A. Whitfield (Private Client). Site: 14 Birchwood Lane, Reading, RG1 5JT. Scope: Construction of a two-storey rear extension (6.4m × 4.2m) to an existing semi-detached dwelling. Works comprise breaking out of existing rear elevation, trench-fill foundations to 1.0m, traditional cavity blockwork to first floor, pre-stressed concrete lintels, timber roof structure with natural slate finish, plus alterations to existing rear wall to form structural opening with rolled steel joist (RSJ 203×102 UB23). Works programmed over 9 weeks with a peak site team of 6 operatives. Hazards assessed: Manual handling — blocks, lintels, plasterboard, Working at height — independent scaffold & roof structure, Buried services strike during excavation, Collapse of excavation / trench wall, Hand-arm vibration (HAVS) — breaking out, drilling, Silica dust — cutting blocks, brick, concrete, Vehicle/pedestrian segregation — narrow domestic street.
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Noise and Vibration Cause Irreversible Damage
Noise-induced hearing loss and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) are among the most common occupational diseases in UK construction. Both are irreversible. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set exposure action values (EAV) and exposure limit values (ELV) that must not be exceeded. Your risk assessment needs to identify who's exposed, estimate daily exposure levels, and put controls in place. Understanding the complete guide to RAMS in the UK helps frame why proper documentation matters.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set lower and upper exposure action values at 80 dB(A) and 85 dB(A) daily. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 set HAV exposure action and limit values at 2.5 m/s² and 5 m/s² A(8).
How Riskora Helps
Riskora generates noise and vibration risk assessments with exposure calculations, tool-specific vibration data, rotation schedules, and health surveillance requirements. The system covers common construction tools — breakers, disc cutters, compactors, and power drills. You can also use our standalone risk assessment builder or method statement tool.
Who it's for
- Groundworks contractors using breakers and compaction equipment
- Demolition firms using percussive tools and cutting equipment
- Highway maintenance teams using road breakers and plate compactors
- Principal contractors managing multi-trade noise exposure on large sites
Understand the Fundamentals
Before you generate your document, these guides cover the knowledge that underpins every good RAMS, risk assessment, and method statement.
UK Legal Requirements for Risk Assessments
What the law requires for risk assessments under MHSWR 1999 and when they must be recorded.
RAMS vs Risk Assessment
When a standalone risk assessment is enough and when you need a full RAMS document.
How to Write a RAMS Document
If your risk assessment needs to be part of a RAMS, this guide covers the full structure.
What Is a RAMS Document?
Learn how risk assessments fit within the RAMS framework used across UK construction.
Construction Safety Documents Explained
An overview of the key safety documents required on UK construction sites and how they relate to each other.
RAMS vs Risk Assessment — Key Differences
When you need a full RAMS versus a standalone risk assessment, and how the two documents work together.
Key Risks and Considerations
- •Noise-induced hearing loss — permanent damage from prolonged exposure above action values
- •Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) — white finger, numbness, and loss of grip
- •Whole-body vibration — back pain from driving vibrating plant over rough terrain
- •Communication failure — inability to hear warnings in high-noise areas
- •Neighbourhood disturbance — complaints and local authority enforcement
- •Non-compliance — failure to monitor or control exposure
What UK Law Actually Says
Direct quotes from the named regulations, with plain-English explanations of what each one means in practice.
Regulation 6, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
“Where the risk assessment indicates that any employee is likely to be exposed to noise at or above an upper exposure action value, the employer shall reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable by establishing and implementing a programme of organisational and technical measures.”
CNAWR 2005 sets the lower action value at 80 dB(A) (LEP,d) and the upper at 85 dB(A). The risk assessment must record the actual measured noise level per task, not a generic 'high noise' rating, and name the hearing-protection zone above 85 dB.
Read the source on legislation.gov.uk →Regulation 6, Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
“The employer shall reduce exposure to vibration to as low a level as is reasonably practicable; where exposure exceeds the daily exposure action value, action shall be taken.”
CVAWR 2005 sets HAV (Hand-Arm Vibration) Exposure Action Value at 2.5 m/s² A(8) and Exposure Limit Value at 5.0 m/s² A(8). The risk assessment must show trigger-time calculations for each tool, not just list the tools.
Read the source on legislation.gov.uk →HSG170 — Vibration solutions: Practical ways to reduce the risk of hand-arm vibration injury
“Use the lowest-vibration tool that will do the job efficiently; rotate operators to limit individual daily exposure; provide health surveillance to detect early HAVS symptoms.”
HSG170 is the reference HSE inspectors use to test 'as low as reasonably practicable'. The risk assessment must reference the tool-selection logic and the rotation schedule that caps individual A(8) below the ELV.
Read the source on legislation.gov.uk →Noise & HAV Action Values — Quick Reference
The Control of Noise and Vibration regulations both work on action-value triggers — the risk assessment must record the actual measured/manufacturer value per task and the resulting daily exposure, not generic risk ratings.
| Hazard | Lower Action Value | Upper Action Value | Exposure Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise — daily LEP,d | 80 dB(A) — hearing protection offered | 85 dB(A) — protection mandatory + zone signed | 87 dB(A) at ear (with protection) |
| Noise — peak C-weighted | 135 dB(C) | 137 dB(C) | 140 dB(C) |
| Hand-Arm Vibration A(8) | 2.5 m/s² — risk assessment + health surveillance | — | 5.0 m/s² — must not be exceeded |
| Whole-Body Vibration A(8) | 0.5 m/s² | — | 1.15 m/s² |
Sources: CNAWR 2005; CVAWR 2005; HSE L108 (Controlling noise at work); HSE L140 (Hand-arm vibration). Original synthesis — confirm against on-site measurements.
Key Features
- Noise and vibration exposure sections
- Tool-specific vibration data
- Exposure calculation guidance
- Rotation schedule templates
- Health surveillance requirements
- Download to PDF
Example Structure (UK Standard)
- Project Details and Noise/Vibration Sources
- Risk Assessment — Noise Exposure, HAV, WBV
- Exposure Estimates and Action Value Comparison
- Control Measures — Selection, Rotation, PPE
- Health Surveillance Requirements
- Monitoring and Review
- PPE Requirements — Hearing Protection Selection
- Sign-Off
Common Questions Before Getting Started
Will this take long?
Under 5 minutes. Select your trade, pick hazards, download.
Is it complicated?
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Do I need experience?
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Is it free to try?
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No onboarding or setup needed — start generating documents instantly
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All documents generated by Riskora should be reviewed by a competent person before use on site. Riskora provides structured templates — professional judgement is always required.
What your RAMS actually contains
Riskora builds a structured, client-facing document — not a generic AI paragraph. Every section is shaped around your job, your site and your team.
Hazards
Task-specific hazards for the job, captured row by row — not a generic list pulled from an old RAMS.
Controls
Control measures mapped to each hazard with residual risk scoring after controls are applied.
PPE
PPE requirements tied to the activity and site, ready to brief to the team.
Method steps
Step-by-step method statement structured around how the work is actually sequenced on site.
Emergency arrangements
First aid, rescue plan, emergency contacts and site-specific escalation routes.
COSHH prompts
Substance prompts when the work involves chemicals, dusts, fumes or sealants — flagged early, not missed at review.
Sign-off
Operative sign-off captured against the document — names, dates and acknowledgement of the brief.
Version history
Every change tracked so you can show what was issued, when, and which version the team signed.
Approval status
Clear approval state on every document — draft, in review, approved, issued — visible across the team.
Audit trail
Who created it, who reviewed it, who signed it. A complete trail you can hand to a principal contractor or auditor.
From copied-and-pasted to site-specific
The reason RAMS get rejected is rarely the format — it's that the document is obviously generic. Riskora rebuilds it around this job, this site and this task.
Generic template copied from an old job.
- • Hazards and controls that don't match this site or task.
- • Method steps written for a different sequence of work.
- • No emergency arrangements specific to the location.
- • Client flags it as generic and asks for a rewrite.
Site-specific document structured around this job, site and task.
- • Hazards captured from the actual scope you pasted in.
- • Method steps sequenced for how the work runs on site.
- • Emergency arrangements and rescue plan tied to the location.
- • Approved internally, briefed to the team, signed off and stored.
From job details to signed-off document
A four-step workflow used by contractors, consultants and safety teams to turn informal job details into client-ready safety paperwork.
- 1Paste job details
Drop in a client email, a WhatsApp from the site manager, a scope of works or a tender note. Anything that describes the job.
- 2Riskora structures the document
Riskora turns your brief into hazards, controls, method steps, PPE, emergency arrangements and COSHH prompts.
- 3Review, edit and download
You stay in control of every section. Tweak anything, then download a clean PDF or share a link.
- 4Brief the team and record sign-off
Brief operatives, capture their sign-off and keep a full audit trail of who signed which version.
Built by people who've written this paperwork on real sites
Riskora is built by a founder with hands-on site and document experience — designed for contractors, consultants and safety teams who need to issue, brief and prove safety paperwork without losing a day to admin.
- Built for contractors, consultants and teams
Solo trades, principal contractors and in-house safety teams all run on the same workflow. - Supports multiple countries
UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada — wording and document types match the local standard. - Not just documents
Sign-off, approvals, version history and an audit trail — the management workflow around the paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
- See the RAMS generator guide
- Risk Assessment for Hand-Arm Vibration — full guide
- RAMS for Demolition Work
- Read: Method Statement for Piling Works
- Risk Assessment: Fire on Construction Sites UK
- Risk Assessment for Dust and Silica on Construction Sites UK
- Risk Assessment for Lone Working on Construction Sites UK
- Asbestos Risk Assessment (UK Construction)
References & Further Reading
Primary UK sources covering the legal and practical framework behind RAMS, risk assessments and method statements.
Create your RAMS free — preview before sign-up
Generate a preview first. Sign up only when you want to save, edit or export.
Final RAMS must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.
Riskora is an assistive document preparation tool. All documents generated must be reviewed, verified, and approved by a competent person before use on site. Riskora does not replace professional safety judgment, and no output should be treated as a legal compliance guarantee.