It depends on whether you're asking about health surveillance or a risk assessment — the two run on different schedules.
| Stage | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Baseline (Tier 1) | Before or shortly after vibration-exposed work starts |
| Annual review (Tier 2) | At least every 12 months, for as long as exposure continues |
| Tier 3 / Tier 4 | As and when a questionnaire or clinical assessment indicates escalation — not on a fixed schedule |
There's no shortcut to less-than-annual surveillance for a worker who remains exposed at or above the Exposure Action Value, and no requirement to escalate everyone to Tier 3/4 on a schedule — that only happens when the evidence points to it.
A HAVS risk assessment doesn't have a fixed statutory renewal interval. HSE's general expectation is that it's reviewed whenever something material changes: new tools or tasks, a change in working methods, or a health surveillance outcome suggesting current controls aren't working. A risk assessment that's several years old and hasn't been revisited after equipment changes is a common compliance gap.
There's no single "every vibrating-tool user needs X every Y years" rule that applies regardless of exposure. Whether surveillance is required at all, and at what tier, depends on your risk assessment findings, individual exposure, and any symptoms already reported — not a blanket schedule that applies to every worker.
We'll confirm what's due and when, for your whole workforce.