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

Abstract

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.

Preliminary Investigation on Systems for the Preventive Diagnosis of Faults on Agricultural Operating Machines

“…In fact, a defect in a bearing, unless detected in time, can cause considerable industrial damage [ 2 ] as well as risks to human health. In particular, the phenomenon of vibrations can be potentially dangerous for human health, leading to strong negative effects [ 3 , 4 ]. Approximately more than half of all machine failures are due to bearing faults [ 5 ].…”

“…Bearing defects can occur during machine use, called distributed defects (surface roughness, waviness, and off-size rolling elements) [ 6 ], or during the manufacturing process, called local defects (cracks, pits, and spalls) [ 7 ]. The presence of defects leads to an increase in normal emission levels of noise and vibration in the bearings [ 3 , 8 ] and an increase in the level of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) exposure for the driver of the vehicle [ 9 ]. Relevant exposure levels of whole-body can be dangerous for the driver [ 10 ] and, at the same time, are annoying during work activity [ 11 ].…”

Safety-Oriented Multi-Task Approach to Manage Whole-Body Vibration Exposure Among Quarry Operators

“…Exposure to such an agent may, in fact, generate adverse effects on human health [1] but, in the opposite way, it may induce a good response in the rehabilitation of some chronic diseases as well as for muscle enhancement [2]. However the most common effect is recorded in the field of occupational safety where it represents a risk factor that may affect operators such as drivers of fork-lift trucks [3], tractors [4], loaders [5], LHD vehicles [6]. It's widely recognized that long term exposure to high amplitude WBV is strongly linked to the subsequent development of a particular stress for the human body and back disease has been shown as a connected effect [7].…”