Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026

Written Question · S4W-29111 · Session 4

Further to the answer to question S4W-28385 by Maureen Watt on 23 November 2015, whether it is aware of Directive 2002/44/EC - vibration an…

Answered Asked by Michael Russell SNP Lodged 24 Dec 2015

The question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28385 by Maureen Watt on 23 November 2015, whether it is aware of Directive 2002/44/EC
- vibration and, if so, what steps the NHS is taking to (a) monitor and (b) report on instances of workforce exposure in the maritime industries to whole-body vibration.

The answer

Answered by Maureen Watt on 13 Jan 2016 · 20 days after it was lodged, on time

The Scottish Government is aware of European Union Directive 2002/44/EC. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 were introduced to clearly set out the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from vibration. They impose duties on employers to protect employees who may be exposed to risk from exposure to vibration at work, including health surveillance in certain circumstances where vibration at work may be a risk to health. These are in addition to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
In relation to maritime industries, the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2007 and the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997 provide protection for seafarers on UK ships parallel to the Health and Safety Executive regulations for workers in the UK. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for enforcement of the merchant shipping regulations on ships.
There is no NHS monitoring of workforce exposure in the maritime industry.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-29111 by reference.