Postgraduate Diploma in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631)
Online Postgraduate Diploma of 800 hours in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631). 8 modules covering ISO 5349-1 (hand-arm vibration, general requirements), ISO 5349-2 (hand-arm vibration, measurement at the workplace) and Svantek SvanPC++. Personal tutor assigned and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631) — studying from Malta
Malta's healthcare system relies on public hospitals alongside a growing private sector, creating demand for engineers in medical devices, clinical technology and facilities. The Medicines Authority and the Health Directorate set regulatory expectations that shape work on medical equipment. Biomechanics and wearable technology are emerging interests, particularly in rehabilitation, sports science and occupational safety. Professionals in this area often collaborate with clinicians, distributors and regulators to ensure devices meet national and European requirements.
Fees for Malta: €1,090 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Is this programme recognised by a professional body in Malta for engineers working in health, biomechanics or wearables?
SEIUM Institute's qualifications are its own private qualifications. They are not official Maltese state degrees and are not accredited by any national body. In Malta, engineering titles are regulated through the Malta Council for Professions and the Chamber of Engineers, and medical devices fall under the Medicines Authority. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body, so check with them before enrolling.
Will employers in Malta value this training for roles in wearables or operational safety?
Employers in Malta's health technology, manufacturing and safety-related sectors decide for themselves how much weight to give a private online qualification. Many weigh practical experience and a final project heavily. SEIUM's programmes include a final project, but whether it helps your career in Malta depends on your employer's view. Speaking with prospective employers beforehand is the most reliable way to find out.
Can I study this alongside a full-time job in Malta, and is employer funding possible?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly time accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Each student gets an assigned technical tutor for support.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Relate vibration exposure to its health effects.
Explain the physical quantities and frequency weighting.
Measure hand-arm vibration in accordance with ISO 5349.
Measure whole-body vibration in accordance with ISO 2631.
Select and calibrate measurement instrumentation.
Estimate daily exposure and propose control measures.
Integrate the assessment into preventive management and health surveillance.
Who it's for
- Industrial hygiene technician who wishes to specialise in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631).
- Senior prevention technician who wishes to specialise in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631).
- Occupational vibration consultant who wishes to specialise in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631).
- Physical agents measurement technician who wishes to specialise in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631).
- Health surveillance manager who wishes to specialise in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631).
- Machinery safety engineer who wishes to specialise in Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration Exposure (ISO 5349/2631).
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the construction sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 5349-1 (hand-arm vibration, general requirements)
- ISO 5349-2 (hand-arm vibration, measurement at the workplace)
- ISO 2631-1 (whole-body vibration)
- Directive 2002/44/EC (vibration)
- Royal Decree 1311/2005
- ISO 8041-1 (human response to vibration measuring instruments)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Occupational exposure to vibration1.2Hand-arm vibration syndrome1.3Vibration-induced Raynaud's phenomenon1.4Neurological and musculoskeletal disorders1.5Low back pain and spinal disorders from whole-body vibration1.6Stockholm scales for clinical classification1.7Directive 2002/44/EC1.8Royal Decree 1311/20051.9Epidemiology and occupational disease1.10Case study: analysis of an occupational disease case
2.1Quantities: displacement, velocity and acceleration2.2Root mean square value and crest factor2.3Frequency analysis and one-third octave bands2.4Biodynamic coordinate axes2.5Transmission of vibration to the body2.6Resonances of the hand-arm system2.7Resonances of the whole body2.8Shocks and transient vibration2.9Multi-axis vibration2.10Practice: analysis of a triaxial record
3.1ISO 5349-1: exposure assessment3.2Frequency weighting Wh3.3Total vibration value ahv3.4Daily exposure A(8)3.5ISO 5349-2: practical measurement guide3.6Mounting accelerometers on tools3.7Exposures from several tools3.8Measurement uncertainty3.9Dose-effect relationship and Annex C3.10Laboratory: measurement on an angle grinder
4.1ISO 2631-1: exposure assessment4.2Weightings Wd and Wk4.3Axis multiplying factors4.4Whole-body daily exposure A(8)4.5Vibration dose value VDV4.6Crest factor and additional method4.7ISO 2631-5 for multiple shocks4.8Measurement on seats with SAE cushion4.9Posture and its influence4.10Laboratory: measurement on a forklift truck
5.1Piezoelectric and MEMS accelerometers5.2Human vibration meters according to ISO 80415.3Hand and seat adaptors5.4Calibration and field verification5.5Sampling strategy5.6Measurement duration5.7Recording operating conditions5.8Data processing5.9Measurement report5.10Practice: measurement plan for a construction site
6.1Use of values declared by manufacturers6.2Tool testing standards: EN ISO 289276.3Vibration databases6.4Exposure calculators6.5Selection of low-vibration tools6.6Anti-vibration gloves: ISO 108196.7Seats and suspensions6.8Maintenance of tools and vehicles6.9Organisational measures and rotation6.10Workshop: exposure reduction plan for a workshop
7.1Vibration risk assessment7.2Programme of technical and organisational measures7.3Information and training for workers7.4Specific health surveillance7.5Health surveillance protocols7.6Records and archiving7.7Particularly sensitive workers7.8Programme audit7.9Effectiveness indicators7.10Case study: management programme in a quarry
8.1Job selection8.2Source identification8.3Measurement plan8.4Hand-arm measurement8.5Whole-body measurement8.6Exposure calculations8.7Proposal of measures8.8Technical report8.9Written report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Svantek SvanPC++, INSST Vibration Exposure Calculator, MATLAB, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real measurement procedures with triaxial accelerometers on tools, seat measurements on mobile machinery, and calculation of daily exposure A(8). Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Relate vibration exposure to its health effects.
Explain the physical quantities and frequency weighting.
Measure hand-arm vibration in accordance with ISO 5349.
Measure whole-body vibration in accordance with ISO 2631.
Select and calibrate measurement instrumentation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses Svantek SvanPC++, INSST Vibration Exposure Calculator, MATLAB and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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