Bad vibrations for construction firms

BRITAIN'S dreaded holes in the road may be around just that little bit longer in future, thanks to draconian new Brussels rules that impose tight limits on the time workers can spend using heavy machinery.

The regulations, approved by the European Parliament, will restrict labourers using tools such as pneumatic drills to only a few hours' work a day. The new rules apply to a range of heavy machines ranging from industrial trucks to ride-on mowers and are designed to protect workers from allegedly harmful exposure to vibration.

The rules have provoked a furious reaction from British employers, who claim they will impose huge costs on business. The CBI's deputy director-general John Cridland said limits were 'scientifically questionable' and make it difficult for companies to compete.

Farmers were given five years to get into line with the new rules, but other sectors will have to toe the line immediately. 'There's a real concern that if this directive went through it would mean construction workers would be limited to use plant for a matter of only four hours at a time,' said Michael Turner, spokesman for the UK Construction Confederation.

He pointed to the 'high cost implications' of having to cut down on workers' hours or changing machinery to come into line with the planned EU laws.

Tory MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews said that no limits should be set for using sit-on machinery until experts could draw a link between the vibrations and the risk of injury. 'The UK Government has urged all UK MEPs to vote down these amendments, stating very clearly that the proposed limit values for whole body vibrations would make many work activities illegal, not just farming; construction, civil engineering, road transport, mining and quarrying will also be affected,' said Bushill-Matthews.

He said he regretted that Labour colleagues in the European Parliament backed the stricter limits instead. The plans, being pushed through by Danish MEP Helle Thorning-Schmidt, daughter-in-law of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, still need to gain final approval by EU governments.