Buy a hand-arm vibration assessment on comparable terms
Give each provider the same tool inventory, task pattern and trigger-time information. Ask them to explain when source data is enough and when measurements are needed.
A comparable quote must answer five things
- Which tools, tasks, worker groups and sites are included?
- Who is the named assessor and what comparable tool-use experience can they show?
- How will trigger times and representative vibration magnitudes be established?
- Which tools, if any, will be measured directly and at what additional fee?
- Will the report include combined daily exposure, controls, uncertainty and VAT or travel exclusions?
Information to assemble before requesting quotes
Mark unknown items explicitly. Discovery can be priced; hidden assumptions cannot be compared.
- Tool list with make, model, age, condition and use
- Tasks, materials and typical hands-on trigger times
- Worker groups and combinations of tools used in one day
- Manufacturer vibration data and past survey reports
- Maintenance, substitution and exposure-control records
- Site addresses, shift patterns and access constraints
Project brief
Business and site: ______________________________________________
Reason for commissioning: first / periodic / new installation / change or event
Equipment and identifiers: ______________________________________
Use, process or operating conditions: ______________________________
Documents available: ___________________________________________
Sites and areas in scope: ________________________________________
Access and shutdown constraints: _________________________________
Target visit and report date: _____________________________________
Required quotation format
- Which tools, tasks, worker groups and sites are included?
- Who is the named assessor and what comparable tool-use experience can they show?
- How will trigger times and representative vibration magnitudes be established?
- Which tools, if any, will be measured directly and at what additional fee?
- Will the report include combined daily exposure, controls, uncertainty and VAT or travel exclusions?
Competence and evidence questions
Competence is specific to the equipment, system and judgement being bought. Ask about the proposed person, not only the company.
- Who will assess exposure and who will measure tools if needed?
- What occupational-vibration training and relevant experience can they evidence?
- How will representative use, material and operator variability be handled?
- What instrument and calibration evidence applies to measurements?
- Can they show a redacted exposure report and action plan?
- What current insurance covers the project?
Comparable quote scorecard
| Comparison point | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named assessor | |||
| Tool and task inventory | |||
| Trigger-time method | |||
| Source-data suitability | |||
| Direct measurement inclusions | |||
| Combined A(8) or point calculations | |||
| Action and limit comparison | |||
| Practical controls and surveillance implications | |||
| Travel, VAT and exclusions | |||
| Total comparable fee |
Do not add the scores blindly. Missing competence, equipment scope or statutory reporting can be a stop condition rather than a small disadvantage.
Report acceptance check
- Actual tools and processes are identifiable
- Worker groups and trigger times are traceable
- Vibration data source and representativeness are stated
- Multiple tools are combined per worker day
- Action and limit values are compared
- Uncertainty and measurement limits are visible
- Controls have owners and priorities
- Review triggers and surveillance implications are clear
Primary basis: HSE vibration risk assessment .