Converting Vibration Measurements to Trigger Time
To convert tri-axial vibrating measurements to trigger time, Hitachi Power Tools recommends using the following methods: Use of a ready reckoner or use of the LowVibration.com online calculator. To use the calculator click here, to use the ready reckoner see below.
The HSE Ready Reckoner
The table below is a ready reckoner for calculating daily vibration exposures. All you need is the vibration magnitude (level) and exposure time. The ready-reckoner covers a range of vibration magnitudes up to 40 m/s2 and a range of exposure times up to 10 hours.
The exposures for different combinations of vibration magnitude and exposure time are given in exposure points instead of values in m/s2 A(8). You may find the exposure points easier to work with than the A(8) values:
- exposure points change simply with time: twice the exposure time, twice the number of points;
- exposure points can be added together, for example where a worker is exposed to two or more different sources of vibration in a day;
- the exposure action value (2.5 m/s2 A(8)) is equal to 100 points;
- the exposure limit value (5 m/s2 A(8)) is equal to 400 points;
©HSE, This material has been reproduced under the terms of the Click-Use Licence
Using the ready reckoner
- Find the vibration magnitude (level) for the tool or process (or the nearest value) on the grey scale on the left of the table.
- Find the exposure time (or the nearest value) on the grey scale across the bottom of the table.
- Find the value in the table that lines up with the magnitude and time. The illustration shows how it works for a magnitude of 5 m/s2 and an exposure time of 3 hours: in this case the exposure corresponds to 150 points.
- Compare the points value with the exposure action and limit values (100 and 400 points respectively). In this example the score of 150 points lies above the exposure action value.
The colour of the square containing the exposure points value tells you whether the exposure exceeds, or is likely to exceed, the exposure action or limit value:
- If a worker is exposed to more than one tool or process during the day, repeat steps 1 - 3 for each one, add the points, and compare the total with the exposure action value (100) and the exposure limit value (400).
©HSE, This material has been reproduced under the terms of the Click-Use Licence
