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Vibration and noise assessment of tractor-trailer and truck-mounted chippersRottensteiner C., Tsioras P., Neumayer H., Stampfer K. (2013). Vibration and noise assessment of tractor-trailer and truck-mounted chippers. Silva Fennica vol. 47 no. 5 article id 984. 14 p. Highlights• Truck-mounted chippers were associated with higher vibration values, while tractor-trailer chippers had higher noise level. • Chipping hardwood produced higher vibration magnitudes than softwood.• Vibration and noise values in most cases did not exceed the exposure limit values set by the European Union. AbstractDuring chipping, machine operators are exposed to whole-body vibration and noise bearing a risk to health. Vibration on the operator's seat and noise inside the chipper cab was measured and analyzed. The factorial design considered two setup variants (tractor-trailer and truck-mounted) of two chipper models from different manufacturers during chipping of softwood and hardwood tree species. Furthermore, exposure to noise was measured during chipping of hardwood. Vibration and noise during chipping, driving between wood piles, and operational delays were measured separately. The results associated truck-mounted chippers with higher vibration values and tractortrailer chippers with higher noise levels. The highest vibration levels were recorded while driving on the forest road from one log pile to another and the second highest during chipping. On the contrary, the lowest vibration levels were measured during operational delays with the chipper in idling condition. Chipping hardwood produced higher vibration magnitudes than softwood. Exposure to noise was significantly higher during chipping compared to driving and operational delays. Vibration and noise data were combined with time studies data, for the calculation of eight-hour energy equivalent total values, both for vibration and noise. In all cases, the exposure limit values set by the European Union were not exceeded, with the exception of truck-mounted chippers, which are likely to exceed the exposure action value for vibration.

Chainsaws are widely used for timber harvesting operations. Vibration transmitted into the operator's hand and arm system by the chainsaw's handle can cause vascular and neurological disorders. This article presents the results of operator vibration exposure to three different chainsaws, equipped once with conventional and once with Kesper safety bar. Measurements were done simultaneously on saws' front and rear handle, both for sharpened and blunt chain, as well as for three operational modes being cutting, limbing, and idling. Measurement and analysis of vibration were carried out according to the guidelines of ISO 5349-1 and ISO 5349-2. The results show that root mean square (rms) vibration acceleration was highest in the x-axis for front (in the vertical direction relative to the chainsaw Á up though the hand) and in the z-axis for rear handle (perpendicular to the grip, up through the hand into the arm), respectively. For all measurements, vibration at the rear handle exceeded that of the front handle. Differences in vibration between saws equipped either with Kesper safety bar or with a conventional bar were not statistically significant. Frequency-weighted vibration (values for sharpened chain) for cutting was between 4.39 and 4.96 m/s 2 . During delimbing values between 4.93 and 5.04 m/s 2 were recorded. Vibration for idling saw ranged from 5.87 to 6.15 m/s 2 .

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Wie bewerten regionale Führungskräfte im exklusiven Versicherungsvertrieb verschiedene Einflussfaktoren auf die Mitarbeiterproduktivität und -qualität? Diese Frage wird vor dem Hintergrund einer zunehmend dynamischen Branche (Kostendruck, Digitalisierung, verändertes Kundenverhalten etc.) an 105 Basisführungskräfte im Vertrieb gestellt. Die Ergebnisse sind ernüchternd konservativ: Gesucht sind nach wie vor fleißige, selbstdisziplinierte und verkaufsorientierte „Jäger“ als Verkäufer, die man aber kaum findet. In der Führung geht Quantität vor Qualität, das Morgen wird gesehen, aber in den Konsequenzen vom Heute dominiert. Um diesen Vertriebsweg mittel- bis langfristig abzusichern, sind die Unternehmen – Personalmanager und überregionale Führungskräfte – aufgerufen, die Basisführungskräfte in ihren Werthaltungen und Fähigkeiten an für das bereits begonnene „Morgen“ bereit zu machen. This study analyses the perception of the determinants of productivity and quality in insurance sales by regional managers. It is shown, that regional manager’s values and competences seem to be stuck in yesterday’s market conditions, while facing a quite dynamic environment. So, insurance companies are confronted with big new challenges in Human resource management and leadership. Keywords: versicherungsvertrieb, produktivität, importance performance analyse, führung