Protecting School Staff from Noise and Vibration: HSE Launches ‘Assess. Control. Protect.’ Campaign

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a campaign urging employers across the UK—including schools and educational establishments—not to wait for symptoms to appear before tackling workplace noise and hand-arm vibration risks.

While noise and vibration hazards are often associated with heavy industry, they pose very real risks within schools. Facilities managers, site caretakers, grounds maintenance teams, and Design & Technology (D&T) or vocational tutors regularly use power tools, lawnmowers, and workshop machinery that present daily exposure risks.

According to HSE estimates, around 15,000 workers suffer hearing problems caused or made worse by work each year, while 1 in 5 workers is exposed to harmful noise levels

Hidden Risks in the School Environment

Noise and vibration-related conditions—such as permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)—develop gradually. Staff members are often unaware of the damage until symptoms like persistent ringing in the ears, numbness, pain, or loss of grip strength become permanent.

Common school activities and equipment that carry noise and vibration risks include:

• Grounds Maintenance: Lawn mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and chainsaws;

• Premises & Site Work: Drills, angle grinders, sanders, and heavy maintenance power tools; and

• D&T & Vocational Workshops: Circular saws, planers, extraction systems, and metalworking tools.

"Noise and vibration-related ill health is preventable, but the consequences can last a lifetime... Employers shouldn't wait for symptoms to appear. They need to identify where workers are at risk, reduce exposure and make sure the right controls are in place."

— Chris Steel, HSE Principal Specialist Inspector (Noise & Vibration)

Legal Duties for School Leadership

Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, school leadership teams and local authorities have a legal responsibility to assess and manage these risks for all employees.

HSE encourages schools to adopt a simple three-step action plan:

1. ASSESS ➔ Identify who is at risk from tools/machinery & carry out suitable risk assessments.

2. CONTROL ➔ Reduce exposure at source (quieter/low-vibration tools, maintenance, job rotation).

3. PROTECT ➔ Provide correct hearing protection, offer health checks, & deliver staff training.

Practical Actions Schools Can Take Today

• Audit Site Equipment: Review all power tools, groundskeeping machinery, and D&T equipment to identify high-vibration or high-noise items;

• Prioritise Lower-Vibration Purchasing: When replacing or hiring gear, select low-vibration and low-noise models (look for vibration emission values provided by manufacturers);

• Implement Tool Rotation: Limit the continuous time caretakers or technicians spend operating high-vibration equipment like strimmers or sanders;

• Maintain Machinery: Ensure blades, chains, and cutting tools are sharp and well-maintained; dull equipment significantly increases both noise and vibration levels; and

• Provide Suitable PPE & Training: Ensure affected staff are trained on how to use tools safely and are supplied with correctly fitted hearing protection where risks remain.

Further Resources & Guidance

• HSE Work Right Campaign: Guidance, tools, and downloadable resources are available at the HSE Work Right Noise and Vibration Campaign; and

• HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge: Schools and trusts can commit to long-term prevention through the Council for Work and Health’s HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge.

Find out more here