What is vibration?
Vibration is the mechanical oscillation or repetitive motion of an object around an equilibrium point that results in vibration energy or pressure waves.
What factors should be considered when measuring the risk of vibration?
- The individuals health.
- Intensity and frequency of the vibration.
- The duration of exposure.
- Parts of the body that receive the vibrating energy.
What are the two general types of vibration within the workplace?
- Hand-Arm Vibration
2. Whole-Body Vibration
What is Hand-Arm Vibration (HAVS)?
Vibration exposure that is transferred to the hand and arm during the use of handheld power tools and hand-guided equipment such as jackhammers, grinders, impact drills, and riveters.
What is Whole-Body Vibration (WBV)?
Vibration exposure that is experienced by drivers, operators, or passengers in vehicles and machines, primarily as a result of vehicle resistance forces and activity, engine vibration, or road and surface conditions.
How is Whole-Body Vibration transmitted?
Transmitted by the surface where the work is performed.
What characteristics of a tool intensifies Hand-Arm Vibration?
- Speed of Vibration.
- Poor Maintenance
- Total Weight
- Lack of Handle Insulation
- Increased Skin Contact
What characteristics of a worker intensifies Hand-Arm Vibration?
- Having a Tight Grip
- Awkward Positions & Postures
- Incorrect Tool Use
- Prior Injuries or Poor Health
What are the symptoms of Hand-Arm Vibration?
- Tingling or loss of sensation in fingers.
- Reduced muscle strength
- Pain in general
- Decreased grip strength
- Bone cysts in fingers and wrists
- Decreased touch sensitivity
- Increased sensitivity to cold
Are symptoms of HAVs acute or chronic?
Prolonged. Effects of HAVs are gradual, so it may take months or years for symptoms to become noticeable.
What are some chronic health effects on HAVs?
- Damage to muscles, tendons, bones, and joints.
- Nervous system problems.
- Raynaud’s Syndrome (White Finger)
- Disrupted circulation to the hands and arms.
What are 5 control measures for eliminating or minimizing HAVs?
- Substitution of processes and methods to eliminate the need for vibrating handheld tools.
- Selecting tools with a low vibration and acceleration.
- Properly maintaining tools.
- Modifying existing tools to prevent vibration from moving on to the tools handle.
- Worker training on proper tool use.
What are the three main sources of Whole Body Vibration?
- Engine vibration
- Road and surface conditions
- Machine and vehicle design
Long term exposure to WBV can result in what physical conditions?
- Lower back, neck, and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders.
- Spinal degeneration
- Chronic back pain
- Herniated discs
Risks of WBV further worsen:
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Neurological
- Endocrine
- Metabolic Changes
- Vision and balance impairment
- Fatigue
What are some contributing factors of WBV?
- Posture
- Body Size
- Muscle Tone
- Physical Workload
- Age
- Pre-existing disorders
- Muscle force
What are some design features that minimize WBV exposures?
- Good seat suspension and maintenance.
- Age and condition of vehicles or machinery.
- Improved suspension systems.
- Cab layout, design, and orientation.
Control measures for WBV exposures encountered by workers in plants and facilities are accomplished by:
- Using anti-fatigue mats for workers who stand for prolonged periods of time.
- Frequent work-rest regimens.
- Installation of vibration dampening devices.
- Proper maintenance measures for machines with high vibration emission.
