Health effects associated with occupational exposure to hand-arm or whole body vibration

Abstract

Workers in a number of different occupational sectors are exposed to workplace vibration on a daily basis. This exposure can come through use of powered-hand tools or hand-transmitted vibration (HTV). Workers can also be exposed to whole body vibration (WBV) by driving delivery vehicles, earth moving equipment, or through the use of tools that generate vibration at low dominant frequencies and high amplitudes, such as jack hammers. Occupational exposure to vibration has been associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal pain in the back, neck, hands, shoulders and hips. It may also contribute to the development of peripheral and cardiovascular disorders and gastrointestinal problems. In addition, there are more recent data suggesting that occupational exposure to vibration may increase the risk of developing certain cancers. This paper provides a review of the occupations where exposure to vibration is most prevalent, and a description of the health effects associated with occupational exposure to vibration. The various experimental methods used to measure and describe the characteristics of vibration generated by various tools and vehicles, the etiology of vibration-induced disorders, and how these data have been used to assess and improve intervention strategies and equipment that reduces the transmission of vibration to the body. Finally, there is a discussion of the research gaps that need to be investigated to further reduce the incidence of vibration-induced illnesses and injuries.

Vibration transmissibility and apparent mass changes from vertical whole-body vibration exposure during stationary and propelled walking

“…The 6th survey on European working conditions showed that, in 2015 20 percent of employees were exposed to vibration during work. According to Krajnak (2018), workers of transportation, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing industries are exposed to Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) on a daily basis. Krajnak (2018) explains that WBV is associated with various adverse health conditions from fatigue, motion sickness and headaches, to musculoskeletal disorders, digestive issues, neuropathies, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and potentially cancer.…”

Local Vibrational Therapy for Essential Tremor Reduction: A Clinical Study

“…Systemic adverse effects that result from local hand-arm vibration may include a cardiovascular response (echocardiographic changes (an increase in ejection fraction and stroke volume, enlarged left ventricular diastolic dimension, and reduction in heart rate) and lower blood pressure) [ 38 ], immunological changes (e.g., an increase in T cell lymphocytes of CD4 and CD8), and suppression of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Vibration may promote vascular injury, endothelial injury, microvasculature changes [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], defects in vascular repair, and intravascular abnormalities (release of vasoactive mediators) [ 42 ].…”

The impact of harmfulness in work process on safety and health of employed women with regard to the textile industry

“…Pored mokroklime, kao najčešći faktori neadekvatnih uslova rada u procesima industrijske proizvodnje, kao i njihov uticaj na zaposlene, izdvajaja se izloženost visokim nivoima buke [20][21][22][23][24], vibracijama [25] i ergonomskim rizicima [26,27], kao i nesreć ama koje uključuju korišćenje mašina i opreme za rad. Negativni uticaj hemijskih supstanci na zdravstveno stanje zaposlenih žena, koje su prisustne u sve većim količinama u procesu proizvodnje i obrade tkanina, iz godine u godinu se povećava, što se može uvideti iz sprovedenih studija brojnih autora [28][29][30][31][32].…”