Excavator driver seat occupational comfort assessment with Lumbar Support Cushion

Abstract

The operators of excavators often suffer from dreadful Whole-Body Vibration. Besides, the operators are subject to postural instability which is considered to be a serious occupational health hazard. The main objective of this study is to investigate the role of Lumbar Support Cushion in mitigation of Whole-Body Vibration and postural instability under three different operating conditions such as Front-Manipulator Motion, Swing Motion and Propel-Drive Motion. The obtained Vibration Dose Value reveals a significant difference between the operation cycle ( p < 0.001). Moreover, across the operation cycle with Lumbar Support Cushion a significant decrease in Vibration Dose Value (8) is observed on the operator seat-pan and backrest ( p < 0.05). Further, the effect of Whole-Body Vibration on physiological stress factors, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure by 1.26%, pulse rate by 2.75% and Rate Pressure Product by 4%, is observed with the use of Lumbar Support Cushion ( p < 0.05) during the operation. The Lumbar Support Cushion helps in promoting a symmetric seating posture, and using Lumbar Support Cushion could help the excavator operator to increase in productivity during shift hour.

Artificial Neural Network-Based Model for Assessing the Whole-Body Vibration of Vehicle Drivers

“…Several activities in the construction sector involve driving different vehicles and machinery, which transmit WBV to workers, such as earth-moving operations [24,25], the transport of materials [26,27], and, in general, the use of heavy machinery equipment and vehicles [28]. WBV-exposing activities are prevalent across various phases of a building's life cycle, including construction (such as material transportation and earth-moving), demolition (involving heavy machinery and rubble transport), as well as the infrastructure maintenance (including tasks like asphalting and ditch cleaning).…”