Machinery Directive 89/392/EEC requires manufacturers to minimize health hazards caused by vibrations. Whole-body vibrations from mobile or stationary machines are especially dangerous for the lumbar vertebrae. When using vibrating hand-held equipment, the wrists and the circulation in the fingers are at risk from hand-arm vibrations.

Occupational health and safety institutions in EU Member States often refer to the fact that, in European safety standards, less consideration is given to health hazards such as noise, vibrations, radiation and hazardous substances than to the prevention of classic causes of accidents.

The term noise hazard refers to health risks such as hearing impairment caused by noise and an increased risk of accident, e.g. failure to hear warning signals.

Directives based on Article 100/100a and 118a of the EC Treaty and the way they are implemented at national level play an important role in the field of occupational health and safety. But how can further information be obtained?

The increasing globalization of markets is one of the predominant developments in the world today. In the field of standardization, it is therefore possible to observe how work is shifting its emphasis increasingly from European to international level.

KAN focuses the opinions of bodies responsible for occupational health and safety in Germany on all matters relating to the standardization of occupational health and safety. This enables it to exert an effective influence on European and international standards work.

„EU-Memorandum“ checklist for international and European draft standards before the European voting procedure.

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