There are hundreds of different types of hand held tools and equipment which can cause ill health from vibration. Jobs requiring regular and frequent use of vibrating hand tools and equipment are found in a wide range of industries.

It should be understood that the risk is cumulative and dependent upon the time the individual spends using vibrating hand tools. The risk depends upon both the degree of vibration and the amount of time the individual is exposed to it; the likely consequence could be the development of hand-arm vibration related disorders.