Master of science in occupational safety

and health management

FASM 5093
ERGONOMICS MANAGEMENT

OCCUPATIONAL VIBRATION
 VIBRATION
• Vibration is the mechanical oscillations of
an object about an equilibrium point.

• The oscillations may be regular such as

the motion of a pendulum or random
such as the movement of a tire on a
gravel road.

• If we could watch a vibrating object in

slow motion, we could see movements in
different directions.
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 VIBRATION
Any vibration has two measurable quantities that helps determine its
vibration characteristics.
• How far (amplitude or intensity) the object moves
• how fast (frequency) the object moves

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 EXPOSURE TO
VIBRATION
Exposure to vibration normally
occurs during the operation of
powered machinery such as hand
tools or whilst travelling on
vehicles.

TYPE OF VIBRATION
• Whole body vibration (WBV)
– transmitted through the legs when standing and the buttocks
and back when sitting
• Hand Arm Vibration (HAV)
– effects on the peripheral nerves and small blood vessels of 4

the hand and arm

 Source of WBV
Activity Source
Warehousing and Forklifts
material handling
Construction Cranes, power shovels, bulldozers, off road
trucks, tractors
Farming Tractors

Transportation buses, trains, helicopters, tractor, trailers

Quarry Control room

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 Health Effects of WBV
Acute effects
• Discomfort
• Activity interference
• Cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and metabolic
changes
• Sensory and central nervous changes

Long-term effects
• Low back pain
• Heart failure
• Miscarriage
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 Evaluation of WBV
• measured at the interfaces
between the body and the source
of vibration using accelerometers
– on the seat surface
– at the seat back (between the
backrest and the back)
– at the feet and hands

8 hr Daily exposure Acceleration

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Limit Value 1.15 m/s2
Action Value 0.5 m/s2
 Source of Hand Arm Vibration
Air powered rotary tools Grinders, sanders, cutting
wheels
Gasoline powered oscillating Chain saws, brush cutter
tools
Power tools Chipping hammers, pavement
breakers

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 Health Effects of HAV
• Acute Effects
– Subjective discomfort
– Activity interference

• Chronic Effects
Vibration-induced bone and joint injuries
Tingling and numbness in fingers and hands
Weakness and pain in the hands and arms
Raynaud’s phenomenon (vibration white finger)

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 Evaluation of HAV
• Measurements made on the tool handle or workpiece close to the surface
of the hand(s) where the vibration enters the body by using accelerometers
over a frequency range of at least 5 to 1,500 Hz
• expressed in units of (metres per second) per second or metres per second
squared (m/s2).

8 hr Daily exposure Acceleration

Limit Value 5 m/s2 10

Action Value 2.5 m/s2

 Prevention of Vibration Effects
Management
• Seek technical advice
• Seek medical advice
• Advice exposed persons
• Train exposed persons
• Review exposure times
• Have policy on removal from exposure
• Reporting
Exposed persons
• Use machine properly
• Avoid unnecessary vibration exposure
• Check seat is properly adjusted
• Adopt good sitting posture
• Check condition of machine
• Inform supervisor of vibration problems
• Seek medical advice if symptoms appear
• Inform employer of relevant disorders
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 Prevention of Vibration Effects
Technical Specialist
• Measure vibration exposure
• Provide appropriate machines
• Select seats with good attenuation
• Maintain machines
• Inform management
Medical Personnel
• Pre-employment screening
• Routine medical checks
• Record all signs and reported symptoms
• Warn workers with apparent
predisposition
• Advise on consequences of exposure
• Inform management
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Thank you