Comparative analysis of exposure limit values of vibrating hand-held tools

Mnica Lpez, Rosala Pacheco, Dolores Martnez, Javier Ordoez

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 43 (2013) 218-224
Presented ByPrakhar Rastogi - 107

Abstract
The use of vibrating hand-held tools is the most

common cause of vibration-related injury in workers Of all sectors of professional activity, the construction industry has the highest number of workers affected by vibration This study analysed the exposure level of construction workers to hand-arm vibration Relevance to industry: There was a significant divergence between the vibration limits in standards and the information provided by manufacturers

Introduction
In the European Union, one of every four workers claims to be exposed to

vibration for up to 2 h of his/her working day, in the hand-arm system or in the whole body

According to the National Survey of Security and Health Management in Companies, carried out by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at Work, the risk of musculoskeletal problems related to posture, force, or repetitive movements at construction sites is 36% vascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal

The symptoms of exposure to hand-arm vibration can be classified as All vascular symptoms can be classified under the heading of Vibration

White Finger, a phenomenon characterised by the whitening of the finger when exposed to low temperatures
The most common neurological disorders are numbness and tingling in the

fingers
The musculoskeletal damage associated with hand-arm vibration manifests

itself in the form of pain in the upper extremities

Other related symptoms include a continuous sensation of numbness, loss

of manual sensitivity, loss of nerve fibre in the peripheral nerves of the hand, and even advanced hearing loss

State of the art

The level of vibration transmission to the upper extremities

depends on the magnitude, frequency, and direction of the vibration, the dynamic response of the hand, and the workers way of grasping the tool The greatest challenge is the reduction of the daily exposure limit value for vibration. This requires changes in work methods and equipment The use of modern tools with low levels of vibration is one way to reduce the risk of exposure, but it is also necessary to decrease actual exposure time to vibration. Controlling exposure time is the most effective prevention method. Other methods include:
changing work procedures to avoid the use of certain machines

with high vibration levels hiring a qualified technician to study the situation designing maintenance programmes for work equipment using auxiliary equipment to reduce vibration risks wearing suitable clothes as a safeguard against cold and damp

Material and methods

The exposure levels of the most commonly used

tools were evaluated, based on data collected from the principal construction companies in the sector The vibration level of a tool or machine can be assessed from the data in the instruction manuals of similar machinery, given that the standardized conditions under which emission values are measured are the same for all machines The rms values of vibration acceleration transmitted in m/s2 were then extracted from the instruction manuals for these tools. These data were used to analyse vibration levels as well as the potential risk of each type

Calculation of vibration exposure

European Directive 2002/44/EC (2002) defines the

following terms related to hand-arm vibration received by workers:

Hand-arm vibration: the mechanical vibration that,

when transmitted to the human hand-arm system, entails risks to the health and safety of workers, in particular, vascular, bone or joint, neurological or muscular disorders. Daily exposure action value: the vibration exposure value that, if exceeded, calls for the implementation of a programme of technical and/or organisational measures intended to reduce exposure to mechanical vibration. For hand-arm vibration, this value is ahv=2.5 m/s2. Daily exposure limit value: the vibration exposure value that cannot be exceeded under any circumstances, that for handarm vibration is 5 m/s2.

Results: Analysis of data

After compiling the information given by the

manufacturers, was calculated the time limit on the daily use of each tool Figure lists each type of machine along with the following values The tools found to produce the highest vibration levels were the pneumatic hammer, electric hammer, power trowel propeller, and demolition hammer For all of the tools studied, the maximum value of ahv exceeded the daily exposure limit value In fact, in the case of the pneumatic hammer and the demolition hammer, the minimum value of ahv also exceeded the daily exposure limit value of 2.5 m/s2

Conclusions
The findings of this study show that 83% of the tool

vibration data provided by manufacturers produce vibration levels for a reference period of 1 h which exceed the exposure limit value, after which it is necessary to take remedial action In 42% of the cases, vibration levels were found to exceed the daily exposure limit value Although important steps are now being taken to remedy this situation, as reflected in the incorporation of vibration reducing devices at the tool design stage, the data still show that there is an urgent need to reduce exposure levels by reorganizing the workplace The criteria in the Physical Agents Directive (Directive 2002/44/EC, 2002) concerning the employers obligation to measure the vibration levels generated by the machines to which workers are exposed is in urgent need of revision

Thank You