Advances in Industrial Ergonomics

(06-91-507-01)
Select hand tools with minimal vibration. Power tool
vibration levels must not exceed 4 m/s² using the testing
protocol defined in ISO 5349.2. Ensure that all power tool
attachments such as sanding disks, extension, sockets etc... are
balanced and mechanically secure to minimize the avoidable
vibration.
Presented by:-
Anonymous
 ISO 5349.2
According to Ergonomic Checkpoints (International Labour Office,
1996), tool vibration should be minimized.

Power tool vibration levels should not exceed 4m/s² using the
testing protocol defined in ISO 5349.2.

Tool vibration transmitted to the hands is detrimental because it

not only disturbs the ability of the worker to control the tool, but
injures nerves, tendons, and blood vessels (International Labour
Office, 1996).

Specifically, the exposure to excessive vibration decreases blood

flow in the hands, which leads to injuries such as Reynaud's
phenomenon, white finger, or nerve damage.
 Right selection of the tool leads to
improved performance measures
Safety
Hand tools with excessive vibration increase the risk of hand injuries. This can
cost up to an average of $6,977 to $13,031 (Silverstein et al, 1998).

Quality
Hand tools with excessive vibration contribute to increased fatigue, due to the
increased required grip force. This may lead to decreased control of handling
objects, which contributes to increased product defects (Kroemer and
Grandjean, 1997).

Delivery
Operations with hand tools with excessive vibration may increase the risk of
disruptions to the manufacturing process resulting from increased task times
or downtime related to injuries. The cost of disruptions can be up to $9,333
per minute (internal Chrysler estimate, 1999).
 Contd.
Cost
Operations with hand tools with excessive vibration make it difficult
to handle the object, thus increasing the time spent on the task.
Minimal vibration allows the operator to spend more time on value
added movements.

Morale
Operations with hand tools with excessive vibration can contribute
to increased absenteeism and/or short-term disability leave. Low
morale is caused by decreased job satisfaction due to factors
including pain and discomfort. The resultant cost of absenteeism
can be up to $250 per day (internal Chrysler estimate, 1999).
 Hand Arm Vibration

• WHAT IS HAV?
HAV is vibration transmitted from work processes into
workers’ hands and arms. It can be caused by operating
hand-held power tools such as road breakers, hand-
guided equipment such as lawn mowers, or by holding
materials being processed by machines such as
pedestal grinders.
 
• WHEN IS IT HAZARDOUS?
Regular and frequent exposure to high levels of
vibration can lead to permanent injury. This is most
likely when contact with a vibrating tool or process is a
regular part of a person’s job.  
 Hand Arm Vibration
High vibration
Moderate vibration
:- Hand tools with excessive vibration can:
•Increase the occurrence of injuries, which impacts costs such as
workers’ compensation, paperwork, unnecessary overtime,
and training expenses for replacement workers.

•Increase the occurrence of part damage, which impacts costs of

rework and warranty expenses.

•Increase the occurrence of manufacturing disruptions due to

prolonged time to complete tasks.

•Increase the occurrence of non-value added movements.

•Increase the occurrence of absenteeism, which impacts indirect

labour costs.
Graph
 Hand Arm Vibration

• Hand Arm Vibration

• Causes & Effects
 Hand Arm Vibration - Causes &
Effects
WHAT INJURIES CAN HAV CAUSE?
Regular exposure to HAV can cause a range of
permanent injuries to hands and arms
including damage to the:
 Blood circulatory system (e.g. vibration white
finger)
 Sensory nerves
 Muscles
 Bones
 Joints
 Hand Arm Vibration - Causes &
Effects
) WHAT EFFECTS DO THESE INJURIES
HAVE ON PEOPLE?
 Painful finger blanching attacks (triggered by
cold or wet conditions)
 Loss of sense of touch and temperature
 Numbness and tingling
 Loss of grip strength
 Loss of manual dexterity
 Unable to work in cold/wet conditions
 Unable to do leisure activities such as fishing,
golf, swimming 
 Need to avoid further exposure to vibration, or
cold and wet conditions
 Have difficulty handling tools and materials
and with tasks requiring fine finger
manipulation
 Measurement of Vibration
Vibration is simple or complex oscillatory motion and its
measurement are always referenced to a directional coordinate
system of three orthogonal axes.
Two coordinate systems:-
 Biodynamic, which are relative to anatomical structure of the
body.
 Basicentric coordinates, which are relative to objects in the
contact with the body.

In either coordinate system, all the axis are mutually perpendicular

to each other.
Hand Arm Vibration – Management
& Control
Workers can reduce the risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome
(HAVS) by following safe work practices:
 Employ a minimum hand grip consistent with safe
operation of the tool or process.
 Wear sufficient clothing, including gloves, to keep warm.
 Avoid continuous exposure by taking rest periods.
 Rest the tool on the work piece whenever practical.
 Refrain from using faulty tools.
 Maintain properly sharpened cutting tools.
 Consult a doctor at the first sign of vibration disease and
ask about the possibility of changing to a job with less
exposure
Hand Arm Vibration – Management
& Control
Employee Information and Training
 
• Potential sources of hand-arm vibration
• The health effects of hand-arm vibration;
• Risk factors (e.g. high levels of vibration, daily
length/regularity of exposure);
• How to recognize and report signs of injury;
• Ways to minimize risk, including:
– Changes to working practices to reduce vibration exposure;
– Correct selection, use and maintenance of equipment;
– How to use tools to reduce grip force, strain etc;
– Maintenance of good blood circulation at work, eg by keeping warm,
exercising fingers and not smoking.

Employees should also have access to a proactive health

surveillance programme.
Sanding Tool Example
This illustrates a
sanding tool used for
smoothing the parts
marked by inspection.
This sanding tool
minimizes worker
exposure to vibration
by not exceeding
4m/s2.
Assembly Tool Example
This figure illustrates the
secure lift gate hinge
operation. The operator
torques bolts into the lift
gate hinge. The
manufacturing
specification lists the
vibration on the tool at
less than 2.5 m/s2. It
should be noted that the
vibration can be greater
than this specification due
to cross-threading of
holes.
 References
 
1. https://gsp.extra.chrysler.com/mfg/amedd/tooldesign/ergo/15-2-3-3/15-2-3-3.htm
2. Health & Safety Executive -UK (2002).Health Risks from Hand-Arm Vibration. HSE
Books –UK.

3. Pelmear, P. L. & Wasserman, D.E. (1998).Hand-arm Vibration -A Comprehensive

Guide for Occupational Health Professionals (2nd Ed.). OEM Press, Beverly Farms,
Massachusetts.
 
4. Kodak’s Ergonomic Design for People at Work, ISBN# 0-471-41863-3, 2nd edition,
Wiley.

5.http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&biw=1343&bih=547&q=health+risks+of+hand+arm+vi
bration&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&fp=91f8441658dec073.
 
 
 
THANKS AND
QUESTIONS