Whole body vibrations: experimental assessment of anthropometric differences on the effects of WBV exposure in quarry workers

et al. 2016

Int. J. SAFE

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It is widely recognized in the field of safety at workplace that professional exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) may generate unfavorable effects on workers' health. Among many involved categories, professional drivers are clearly one of the most exposed groups, as exposure time may last for the whole working period. This research is based on the results of measurements gathered from 14 subjects who drove vehicles for urban use. In particular, in order to highlight the effects of vehicle armoring on professional WBV dose, two sampling campaigns were carried out. In the first case, a car for standard use was used while, in the second one, another vehicle of the same model was modified with the installation of the armor-plate for ballistic protection. The assessment was carried out in accordance with ISO 2631-1(97), under the same boundary conditions, and finally the daily exposure parameter was assessed. Furthermore, to allow a comparison independent of individual factors, the exposed subjects were divided into homogeneous groups of different classes based on their body weight and height. The results obtained showed that WBV exposure is clearly connected with vehicle characteristics. In particular, the installation of bulletproof armor, contributing to a change in the car mass distribution and its total weight, determines a generalized reduction of professional dose. This reduction may be quantified in a range from 10% to 20% depending on the individual characteristics of the driver.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk assessment of the whole-body vibration exposure for drivers of armored vehicles: A case study

Degan¹,

et al. 2016

Int. J. SAFE

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A comparison between methods for assessment of whole-body vibration exposure: A case study in a limestone quarry

Degan¹,

et al. 2018

Int. J. SAFE

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The problem of the whole body vibration (WBV) exposure for operators in the workplace has been analyzed by many researchers that have studied for a long time the complex relationships between this phenomenon and human health risks. Previous studies have shown that drivers of different vehicles, in particular operators in mining activities, are afflicted by serious musculoskeletal injuries due to WBV exposure. Criteria in order to measure and assess equivalent daily exposure, associated with different operations of the vehicles, are referred to standards ISO2631-1, based on method of the frequencyweighted equivalent continuous root mean squared (r.m.s.) acceleration. Numerous studies point out the complexity to outline a clear relationship between WBV exposure and the human health disorders. An experimental campaign was realized in a limestone quarry near Rome and vibration measurements were recorded on four different mining vehicles (dumper, jeep, digger and puncher machine). The vibratory signal was taken at the seat operator/seat interface (X, Y and Z axes) in accordance with the ISO 2631-1 during daily quarry operations. The data obtained were elaborated and finally the results are presented in order to evidence the difference of WBV exposure between the specific operating tasks and some methods for the purpose of exposure dose reduction are suggested.

Effects of Ground Conditions on Whole-Body Vibration Exposure on Cars: A Case Study of Drivers of Armored Vehicles

Degan¹,

WIT Transactions on the Built Environment

et al. 2017

The purpose of this paper is to highlight how the types of road and the vehicle characteristics influence the whole-body vibration (WBV) exposures. WBV exposure is common in occupational drivers and it can generate serious musculoskeletal injuries of the arms, shoulders, neck and lower back. Numerous studies have shown that many factors influence the dose exposure: the driver's position, style guide, vehicle speed and the driver's physical characteristics, such as body weight and height. In order to point out possible interactions between exposure to whole body vibration, vehicle characteristics and the types of road, an experimental campaign was created: firstly, a model standard car for urban use was utilized, and later, the same model vehicle was modified by the armour-plate installation for the ballistic protection. Each vehicle was driven by the same driver for a defined time on a curvilinear common urban route, along both rise and downhill directions. The assessment of the daily vibration dose was carried out in accordance with ISO 2631-1(1997) standard and expressed as the weighted frequency equivalent continuous root mean squared (RMS) acceleration over an eight-hour period. The results obtained from the experimental campaigns revealed that the WBV exposure is strongly conditioned by vehicle characteristics. In particular the installation of bulletproof armour contributed to change the car mass distribution and its total weight, modifying the professional dose. This modification generated an attenuation of frequency-weighted RMS. acceleration values all over the frequency spectrum and consequently a WBV exposure reduction. The present study encourages further study in order to understand how different factors influence exposure to WBV research.