PRODUCTION VIBRATIONS AND WAYS TO REDUCE

THEM

KLAIPEDA
UNIVERSITY

PRESENTATION
BY
ADEBAYO HAROUN SANNI
 Production vibration arises from a wide variety of
processes and operations performed in industry,
mining and construction, forestry and agriculture,
and public utilities.
Vibration exposure occurs when the body is exposed
Introduction to pulsation, shaking or tremors usually produced by
a vibrating object such as a power hand tool.
Vibration is often called a vector quantity, which
means that the vibratory motion has both a negative
effect in of itself and a magnitude or intensity
component.
What is
Vibration?

In the context of ergonomics,

vibrations signify that the body
is subjected to shaking or
oscillations. There is an
exposure-response link
between exposure time and
health consequences.
Vibration is a cycle of activity
backforth, up and down
resulting from reversal of
energy.
Types of
Vibration
Vibration exposure is
separated into hand-arm
vibration and whole-body
vibration. These two types of
vibration have different
sources, affect different areas
of the body and produce
different symptoms.

1. Handarm Vibration
2. Whole body Vibration
Handarm Vibration

Handarm vibration is usually caused

by a vibrating hand tool or work
piece which transmits the
movement.
Vibration restricts the blood supply
to the hands and fingers, which,
depending on the vibration level and
duration of exposure, can contribute
to an ergonomic injury.
What are the health effects of hand-arm
vibration?
• Vibration induced health conditions
progress slowly. In the beginning it usually
starts as a pain.
• Vibration can cause changes in tendons,
muscles, bones and joints, and can affect
the nervous system. Collectively, these
effects are known as Hand-Arm Vibration
Syndrome (HAVS).
• Vibration-induced white finger (VWF) is the
most common condition among the
operators of hand-held vibrating tools. The
symptoms of VWF are aggravated when the
hands are exposed to cold.
Whole body Vibration
During transportation the body is
exposed to whole-body vibrations.
A common acutely felt effect of
this is motion sickness.
In a longer timeframe, whole-body
vibrations may increase the risk of
degenerative conditions in the
spine as well as back pain.
What are the health effects
of whole-body vibration?

• After daily exposure to vibration, over a number

of years, whole-body vibration can affect the
entire body and result in a number of health
disorders.
•Studies of bus and truck drivers found that
occupational exposure to whole-body vibration
could have contributed to a number of circulatory,
bowel, respiratory, muscular and back disorders.
•The combined effects of body posture, postural
fatigue, dietary habits and whole-body vibration
are the possible causes for these disorders.
Symptoms of
Vibration
• Discomfort from cold
• Numbling and Tingling
• Blanching Fingers
• Pain
• Loss of Grip
• Fatigue
• stomach problems
• headache,
• loss of balance and
• “shakiness” shortly after or during exposure.
Tools that causes
vibration
• Chained Saw
• Chisels
• Hammers
• Breakers
• Drill
• Compactors
• Shapers
• Breakers
• Riveters
• Grinders
• Sanders
Ways to
Reduce
Vibration
Engineering Controls

Work Practice

Administrative control
Training
• Reduction at Source
• Reduction of Transmission
• Process Modification
 Reduction at Source

REDUCE THE SPEED OF REDUCE WEIGHT AND CHANGE THE TYPE OF

TOOL POWER NEEDED TO TOOL
DRIVE THE TOOL

TOOL MAINTENANCE USE MATERIALS THAT MAKE EQUIPMENT ON

GENERATES LESS SPRING OR
VIBRATION COMPRESSION PARTS
 • Designed to reduce vibration transmitted to the
hands for counterweight tools to minimise gripping
Reduction of required to operate the
• Provide cushion to act as a vibration isolator in a
Transmission seated task
• Provide anti-fatigue mat for standing operation
•NB: Dampening materials and gloves are usually
more effective for higher frequencies
Process Modification

Using mechanical
Substitution of
aids(chunk and
materials ie plastic
clamps to hold
for hand metal
material

Changes in any
aspects of process
Robotics and
to eliminate need
automation
for vibrating tools
or equipment
Work Practice
• Job rotation
• Reduce group Force applied
• Reduced length of working days
• Select low vibration
• Ergonomic work posture
• Design work task and workplace
• Restrict use of Piece work and incentive pay
Administrative
control
• PPE
• Protect against exposure to
coId and trauma
• Reduce transmission of
vibrating energy to the hand
• Training
Training
• Source of vibration
• Adverse health and safety effects
• Early signs and symptoms
• Use and availability of vibration
protective clothing
• Anti-vibration devices
• Value of good to maintenance
Conclusion
Production vibration exposure occurs when the body is exposed
to pulsation, shaking or tremors usually produced by a vibrating
object such as a power hand tool. Vibration exposure is
separated into hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration.
These two types of vibration
have different sources, affect different areas of the body and
produce different symWhole-body vibration occurs when the
human body is supported on a surface which is vibrating. Hand-
transmitted vibration occurs when the vi-bration enters the body
through the hands,
The prevention of disorders caused by production vibration in the
workplace requires the implementation of engineering control,
administrative control, and work policy.
References
Bovenz, M., (2005). Health risks from occupational exposure to mechanical vibration. G Ital Med Lav Erg.27(1),58-64

Canadian Center for Health and Safety. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/vibration/vibration_effects.html

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. The state of occupational safety and health in the European Union – Pilot
study. Bil-bao, 2000

Jorge, P. Clotilde, L., Luís, C.S., (2010). Vibration at the workplace practical cases of evaluation. INTER-NOISE – 39th
International Congress on Noise Control Engineering and Exposition At: Lisbon, Portugal.

The HSE gateway. Vibration in the work place.

https://www.uib.no/en/hms-portalen/147730/vibrations#hand-arm-vibration

https://www.slideshare.net/JasmineJohn/vibration-12957774