Influence of Driving Speed, Terrain, Seat Performance and Ride Control on Predicted Health Risk Based on ISO 263I-I and EU Directive 2002/44/EC

Abstract

Operators of load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicles are commonly exposed to wholebody-vibration (WBV) levels above ISO 2631-1 and EU Directive 2002/44/EC guidelines. WBV was measured at the floor and seat while the same operator drove two LHDs on a controlled test track while driving speed, bucket load, ride control, terrain type, driving task, and seat optimization were varied. Frequency-weighted RMS acceleration was calculated and A(8) values were modeled for six driving scenarios. Vibration exposure was lowest when the LHD was driven at the lowest speed, forward, over smooth terrain, with ride control on and the bucket loaded (0.20 m/s 2). The A(8) decreased from 0.84 m/s 2 when driving with ride control off, over mixed terrain using all gears, to 0.53 m/s 2 when driving with ride control on and an optimized seat. The estimated daily exposure decreased but remained just above the ISO 2631-1 and EU Directive 2002/44/EC guidelines.

Reducing whole-body vibration through field vibration tested heavy equipment seat retrofitting

“…The other benefits that occurred as a result of phase one field testing recommendations were improved road maintenance resulting in an increased number of paved roads, an improved pot liming method which resulted in fewer skull bangs leading to reduced pitch (which was what the operators indicated was their biggest concern) and reduced speed limits. Improved road maintenance and reduced driving speeds are well known to result in decreased exposure to WBV [24], therefore, resulting decreases in WBV exposure cannot be attributed to the retrofitted seat alone. These improved workplace changes could have resulted in reduced vibration exposure so we are not able to definitely say that the reductions in WBV exposure were due solely to the new seat.…”

Comparing Health Risks to Load-Haul-Dump Vehicle Operators Exposed to Whole-Body Vibration Using EU Directive 2002/44EC, ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-5

“…Potential strategies might include, but are not limited to, maintaining underground roadways [20,27,28], reducing speed where roadways are uneven and jagged [20,29], assuring appropriate vehicle maintenance [20,30], and installing ergonomically correct damped operator seating [29,31]. The benefits of several of the above recommended interventions, and new technologies aimed at vibration reduction were clearly illustrated in a recent study [29]. For example, A(8) values decreased by 15% when ride control (engineering intervention designed to decrease the transmission to the cab, was engaged.…”

“…For example, A(8) values decreased by 15% when ride control (engineering intervention designed to decrease the transmission to the cab, was engaged. A further 6% decrease was reported when speed was reduced by avoiding fourth gear, and an additional 13% decrease was reported when the LHD was driven over maintained roads [29]. Installing a seat suited to the operating environment, capable of attenuating vibration is also critical to decrease the risk of spinal degeneration and related musculoskeletal injury and associated back pain [29,32].…”

“…A further 6% decrease was reported when speed was reduced by avoiding fourth gear, and an additional 13% decrease was reported when the LHD was driven over maintained roads [29]. Installing a seat suited to the operating environment, capable of attenuating vibration is also critical to decrease the risk of spinal degeneration and related musculoskeletal injury and associated back pain [29,32]. Interventions aimed at improving driving posture should also be considered including the use of rotating seats, improved cab ergonomics and collision avoidance systems [12,18,33,34].…”

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

“…The scientific community has predominantly concentrated on the differences in terms of exposure linked to the type of machinery [18] or to the degree of its wear and tear [19] as well as other variables such as the type of terrain involved, the driving speed, or the ergonomics of the operator's seat [20].…”