The handle vibration of traditional impact hand-held tools, such as axes, hammers, mauls, adzes and hoes, has been measured by means of an acceler ometer placed between the hand and the handle. A large transient oscillation occurs, with a peak acceleration of as much as 14 000 m/s² in some cases, which usually decays within 8 ms. A high frequency (>1000 Hz) ringing was observed with some combinations of workpiece and handle material. Long—handled, two—handed tools exhibited less intense but longer lasting vibration. The short duration, intermittent nature and high frequency of the exposure can be expected to result in less damage to the hand than from comparable continuous vibration.