A Study of Vibration White Finger Disease Rock Drillers

Abstract

Based on a professionally administered medical questionnaire, 50% of 95, rock drillers using hand-held pneumatic drills from two large British Columbia underground mines reported symptoms of Vibration White Finger Disease (VWFD). Prevalence of this disease was 45% among a subgroup of 58 drillers without a medical or occupational history of possible predisposing factors other than drill vibration. Symptoms appeared to be dose-related with blanching attacks reported among 25% of subgroup drillers exposed for 1 −5 years, and in 80% of those exposed for 16 years or more. 9% of subgroup drillers had severe stage 3 symptoms (Taylor-Pelmear Classification). The median latent period for onset of blanching symptoms was 7.5 years. Prevalence of VWFD among 58 control miners from the two sites without a history of intense prolonged hand-arm vibration or other pre-disposing factors was 4%. There was objective evidence of vascular abnormality (based on delayed finger rewarming after combined digital cooling and ischemia) in 76% of subgroup drillers with blanching symptoms and in 18% of controls without symptoms. Comparison is made between the latent period for onset of blanching symptoms among drillers in this study and the predicted latent period based on suggested International Standards Organization guidelines for vibration exposure.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome among Quarry Workers in Vietnam

“…In the early 1960s HAVS was reported in hard-rock miners using jackleg hammers and stopper drills in Canada [10][11][12] . Subsequently reports came from Europe [13][14][15] , Japan 16,17) , and Korea, together with further reports from Canada [19][20][21][22][23][24] and America 25) . The prevalence ranged from 12.5 to 50% and the median latent intervals 26) .…”

Evaluation of hand‐arm vibration (HAV) exposure levels among grounds maintenance workers: An observational human exposure measurement study

“…7,8 Most recently, vibration dosimeters integrated with hand adapters 9,10 are available which enable to obtain daily exposure dose while minimizing interference with job activities.Pneumatic tools such as rock drills, grinders, and riveters, and hammers are associated with HAVS. [11][12][13][14] Gasoline-powered grass trimmers, brush cutters, leaf blowers, and chainsaws utilized in many industries including agriculture, forestry, and grounds maintenance are also significant sources of HAV, putting the workers at risk of HAVS. 15 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there…”

“…Pneumatic tools such as rock drills, grinders, and riveters, and hammers are associated with HAVS. [11][12][13][14] Gasoline-powered grass trimmers, brush cutters, leaf blowers, and chainsaws utilized in many industries including agriculture, forestry, and grounds maintenance are also significant sources of HAV, putting the workers at risk of HAVS. 15 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there…”