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Reciprocating saw HAVS calculator One worker’s estimated daily hand-arm vibration exposure across all their tools.

  • Free, no account
  • 100 points after 9 min at HSE’s figure
  • Nothing is stored
Tool 1
Time in use today

Only the time the tool is running in their hands. Breaks add up, they do not reset it.

HSE estimate 18 m/s² ·

Daily exposure

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Not counted yet: Reciprocating saw (no time entered).

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About this estimate

Based on HSE-published data (HSE, Vibration risk assessment, Table 1 "Some typical vibration levels for common tools", read 16 September 2026) and, for a named make and model, the figure its maker declares in its manual or product information. HSE and the makers have not reviewed or endorsed this calculator. An estimate to support an exposure assessment, not a measurement, a risk assessment or a compliance certificate.

Reciprocating and sabre saw vibration

HSE’s figure for reciprocating saws is 18 m/s², within a published range of 7 to 27.

Reciprocating saw vibration Also called sabre saw or recip saw
Vibration100 points after400 points after
7 m/s² Bottom of HSE’s range1 h 1 min4 h 5 min
18 m/s² HSE’s figure9 min37 min
27 m/s² Top of HSE’s range4 min16 min

An hour on a reciprocating saw is 648 points

Points are 2 × 18² × hours of trigger time, and every other tool that person uses adds to the same day. If you have the reciprocating saw’s own figure from its handbook or a measurement, enter that instead.

Daily exposureWhat the employer must do
Under 100 pointsKeep exposure as low as you reasonably can. Workers who already have symptoms still need protecting.
100 points Action value, 2.5 m/s² A(8)Reduce exposure, and give training and health checks to those regularly exposed.
400 points Limit value, 5 m/s² A(8)Cut exposure at once, find out why, and change the work so it does not happen again.

Sources

Figures for other tools: HAVS chart for common tools. HSE has not reviewed or endorsed this calculator.