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sult of vibration, but as a result of im- pact. The ISO standards chosen by the EU committee were used as they were the closest available, but they were de- veloped for forestry machines and lor- ries where vibration is the major issue. We need to forget about whole body vibration and focus on impacts.PROTECTION FROM PROSECUTION The UK Health and Safety Execu- tive (HSE) recognises the perceived shortfalls with the EU directive and the problems in applying the stringent WBV exposure restrictions in the ma- rine environment. The HSE will accept improvement to impact exposure when investigating compliance with the reg- ulations, but this requires evidence that the employer has acknowledged the risks and taken steps to reduce their staffs exposure to harmful impacts. In conjunction with the HSE, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agen- cy has introduced a scheme that will provide exemption from prosecution to employers that cannot meet the ex- posure limits required by the EU di- rective, providing they can supply evi- dence of monitoring and an attempt to reduce their workers exposure to WBV and other harmful impacts. MONITORING AND REDUCING IMPACT EXPOSURETracking an employees impact ex- posure does not mean that they have to stop working whenever it peaks. Most days it would be hoped that they are safe from risk, but in the event they have a build up of harm- ful exposure they should be placed on other duties with less exposure for a short period of time. When a crew runs into particularly bad weather and returns exhausted they are more likely to injure themselves on the next shift if they have not recovered in time. Re- arranging their shifts will allow them time to recuperate on smoother water www.marinelink.com MN Sept2013 Layout 66-81.indd 678/29/2013 5:18:59 PM
