WHOLE BODY VIBRATION AND BACK

DISORDER AMONG VEHICLE OPERATORS

S.Gokul Raj
Reg No: 2009220002

Under Guidance of:

Dr.R.Raju

Department of Industrial Engineering,

Anna University Chennai.
 RECAP OF REVIEW 1

Aim
Need for the Study
Methodology
Expected Result
 INTRODUCTION
ØWhole Body Vibration (WBV) is a mechanical
energy oscillations which are transferred to the
human body as a whole.
ØIn European directive, Whole Body Vibration means
“The vibration that, when transmitted to the
whole body, enters risk to the health and safety of
workers, in particular lower back, morbidity and
trauma of the spine”.
Ø
Ø
 OBJECTIVES

ØTo find the relation between exposure level of

Whole Body Vibration and back disorder.


ØTo study the effect of intensity of whole body

vibration on back disorder.


ØTo establish whether there is a combined effect of
Whole Body Vibration and age, health condition
(health status, previous back pain and injuries) on
back disorders.


ØTo check whether there is a combined effect of

Whole Body Vibration and occupational
conditions (working posture, repeated lifting,
heavy labour and occupational stress) on back
disorder.
    OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
 Activities for which it may be appropriate to warn of the adverse effects of
whole body vibration


Ø Tractor driving
Ø Armoured fighting vehicles (e.g., Tanks) and similar vehicles
Ø Other off-road vehicles:
o Earth-moving machinery-loaders, excavators, bulldozers, graders,
scrapers, dumpers, rollers
o Forest machines
o Mine and quarry equipment
o Forklift trucks
Ø Truck driving
Ø Bus and tram driving
Ø Helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft flying
Ø Workers with concrete production machinery
Ø Railway drivers
Ø Use of high-speed marine craft
Ø Motor bicycle riding
 CONCEPTUAL MODEL
Intensity of WBV

Duration of WBV

Back
Disorder
Occupational
conditions

Health conditions of
employees
LITERATURE REVIEW
Title: The multi-axis vibration environment and man
Author: E. J. Lovesey
Journal Name: Applied Ergonomics volume 1, Issue 5, December 1970, Pages 
258-261
Variable: Intensity 

Basicentric axes
Ø In this study, a series of accelerations have
been taken at the floors of different
vehicles in vertical and lateral axis using
accelerometer and found that vibration has
a greater adverse effect upon comfort and
performance.
Recommendation:

Ø Measurements of the vibration environments

in current forms of transport have shown
that appreciable quantities of vibration
along all three axes exist.
Ø Further vibration research should consider the
effects of multi-axis vibrations upon man
rather than limit tests to single axis
Title: City bus driving and low back pain: A study of the exposures to posture
demands, manual materials handling and whole-body vibration
Author: Olanrewaju O. Okunribido, Steven J. Shimbles, Marianne Magnusson and 
Malcolm Pope
Journal Name: Applied Ergonomics 38 (2007) 29–38
Variable: Occupational Conditions (posture and Manual material Handling)

ØA cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate

worker exposure to posture, manual materials handling
(MMH) and whole body vibration as risks for low back
pain (LBP).
ØUsing validated questionnaire, information about driving
experience, driving (sitting) posture, MMH, and health
history was obtained from 80 city bus drivers.
ØTwelve drivers were observed during their service route
driving (at least one complete round trip) and vibration
measurements were obtained at the seat according to the
recommendations of ISO 2631 (1997), for three models
of bus (a mini-bus, a single-decker bus, a double-decker
bus).
ØThe results showed that city bus drivers spend about 60%
of the daily work time actually driving, often with the
unsupported, occasional and light MMH and experience
discomforting shock/jerking vibration events.
ØTransient and mild LBP (not likely to interfere with work
or customary levels of activity) was found to be
prevalent among the drivers and a need for ergonomic
evaluation of the drivers’ seat was suggested.

Title: The evaluation of vehicle vibration and seats.
Author: M.J. Griffin
Journal Name: Applied Ergonomics 1978, 9.1, 15-21.
Variable: Intensity

ØMeasurements of vibration in a variety of road vehicles in

common use are compared with the guidance provided
in ISO 2631-1974 (Guide for the evaluation of human
exposure to vibration).
ØIt was concluded that for typical journey durations many
of the vibration levels are in excess of the levels
corresponding to the 'reduced comfort boundaries' and
'fatigue decreased proficiency boundaries' defined in the
ISO Standard.

Comparison between weighted r.m.s. accelerations measured in the
vertical axis at the seat pan and on the floor of different vehicles.
Title: Measurement of whole-body vibration exposure from speed control
humps
Author: E. Khorshida, F. Alkalbyb and H. Kamalc
Journal Name: Journal of Sound and Vibration 304 (2007) 640–659
Variable: Intensity

Ø In this study, an experimental investigation is conducted to evaluate

health risks associated with different geometry speed control
humps.
Ø Vibration levels and shocks are measured by a seat pad
accelerometer placed under the driver’s seat to evaluate hazard
risks on the human body’s lower back.
Ø The effects of vehicle type, passenger location in the vehicle,
vehicle speed, and speed control hump geometry are assessed
based on two standard methods :
§ British standard BS 6841
§ New ISO/DIS standard 2631-5.
ØIt was found that circular speed control humps currently installed on many public roads
should be modified in order to eliminate hazards. Two newly designed speed humps
(Hump6 and Hump7) were proved to be less hazardous than circular speed control
humps.
Title: Influence of tyre inflation pressure on whole-body vibrations
transmitted to the operator in a cut-to-length timber harvester
Author: L.M. Sherwina, P.M.O. Owendeb, C.L. Kanalia, J. Lyonsc ,S.M. Warda
Journal Name: Applied Ergonomics 35 (2004) 253–261.
Variable: Occupational Conditions (Tyre Inflation Pressure)

Ø The influence of tyre inflation pressure on whole-body vibrations

transmitted to the operator during the movement of a cut-to-length
timber harvester was evaluated. Vibration measurements were taken
in three orthogonal (x, y, z) axes at tyre pressure settings of 138, 345
and 414 kPa.
Ø Vibration was predominant in the vertical (z) direction. The vibration
total values recorded for the operator seat at the maximum tyre
inflation pressure setting were classed as ‘‘fairly uncomfortable’’
(ISO standard 2631-1), and vertical seat vibration transmissibility
was highest between 4 and 8Hz at the 345 kPa tyre pressure setting.
Ø
Ø
 Cut-to-length timber harvester

ØThe recorded values of WBV were significantly reduced by a

reduction in tyre inflation pressure which may therefore be used to
moderate the magnitude of WBV on wheeled timber harvesters.
 Title: Whole-body vibration transmitted to the framesaw operator
Author: V. Goglia and I. Grbac
Journal Name: Applied Ergonomics 36 (2005) 43–48
Variable: Intensity

Ø In this study, Vibrations were measured at all operations (log

manipulation, log entering, cutting and returning of the carriage)
performed during the normal framesaw working cycle.
ØThe weighted r.m.s. acceleration was also calculated and the
duration of each single framesaw operation was measured
and the energy equivalent vibration level was calculated.
ØThe values so obtained were compared with the daily
exposure limits according to the ISO 2631-1-1997.
ØThe measurement results showed that the framesaw
operator, under the given measuring conditions, is exposed
to a higher vibration level than the given daily exposure
limits.
ØAlso, the energy-equivalent vibration level calculated
according to the guidelines given in the new ISO 2631-1-
1997 is higher than the limits recommended for an effective
4hr daily exposure.
 Title: Survey of technical preventative measures to reduce whole-body
vibration effects when designing mobile machinery
Author: P. Donati.
Journal name: Journal of sound and vibration (2002) 253(1), 169-183
Variable: Intensity

Engineering solutions to minimize the effects of vibrating mobile machinery

on operators can be grouped into 3 areas:
(1) Reduction of vibration at source by improvement of the quality of

terrain, careful selection of vehicle or machine, correct loading, proper

maintenance, etc.
(2) Reduction of vibration transmission by incorporating suspension
systems (tyres, vehicle suspensions, suspension cab and seat) between the
operator and the source of vibration.
(3) Improvement of cab ergonomics and seat profiles to optimize operator

posture.
This paper reviews the different techniques and problems linked to
categories (2) and (3).



ØAccording to epidemiological studies, the main health risk with whole-body
vibration exposure would appear to be lower back pain.
ØWhen designing new mobile machinery, all factors which may contribute to
back injury should be considered in order to reduce risk.
ØFor example, optimized seat suspension is useless if the suspension seat cannot
be correctly and easily adjusted to the driver's weight or if the driver is forced
to drive in a bent position to avoid his head striking the ceiling due to the
spatial requirement of the suspension seat.
Title: Dose – response relationships between whole body vibration and
lumbar disk disease- a field study on 388 drivers of different
vehicles.
Author: S.Schwarze and G.Notbohm
Journal Name: Journal of Sound and Vibration (1998), 215(4), 613 - 628
Variable: Intensity

ØThe dose response relationships between long term

occupational exposure to whole body vibration and
degenerative processes in the lumbar spine caused by the
lumbar disks were examined.
ØFrom 1990 to 1992, 388 vibration exposed workers from
different driving jobs were examined medically and by
lumbar X-ray.
ØThe prevalence of lumbar syndrome is 1.55 times higher in
the highly exposed group when compared to the reference
group (azw(8h) = 0.6 m/s2) with low exposure
Title: Effects from twisted postures and whole-body vibration during
driving
Author: Bengt O. Wikstrom
Journal Name: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 12 (1993) 61-75 
Variable: Occupational Conditions (Twisted posture)

Ø In this study, acute effects on drivers from different twisted postures

and whole-body vibrations were studied. Effect variables were
discomfort and EMG (electromyograph) activity.
Ø The study was performed with experienced drivers on test tracks in the
field. Two types of industrial trucks and an agricultural tractor were
used. The machines gave different types of vibrations.
Ø Ratings of discomfort with Borg's CR-10 scale and EMG-activity
correlated well with both the degree of twist of the posture and the
vibration level.
Ø The discomfort was exclusively localised to the lumbar and the
neck-shoulder regions. It was foremost expressed as a feeling of
tension and common discomfort.
 Title: A decade of improvement in whole-body vibration and low back pain
for freight container tractor drivers
Author: K.Nishiyama, K.Taoda and T.Kitahara.
Journal name: Journal of sound and vibration(1998) 215(4), 635 – 642
Variable: Duration, occupational condition.

Ø The authors’ study revealed that the whole-body vibration of the

tractor units of freight containers was most hazardous in the
back-to-chest directions (x-axis).
Ø The low back pain (LBP) among the drivers seemed to be due to the
long working hours and the ergonomically unsound tractor
design, as well as the vibration.
Ø A preventative measure was the introduction of a tractor cab
suspended by an air spring instead of a steel spring.
Ø The questionnaire study showed an improvement in the ergonomic
evaluation of the tractors. The air suspension models seemed to
induce less LBP than the steel suspension models.
Ø

 Title: Tractor Vibration Severity and Driver Health: A Study from Rural India

Author: Adarsh Kumar, Puneet Mahajan, Dinesh Mohan and Mathew Varghese
Journal name: Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research (2001) 80 (4), 313-328
Variable: Intensity


Ø Effect of whole-body vibrations on degenerative changes in the

spine of 50 tractor-driving farmers was evaluated by comparing
them with a control group of 50 non-tractor-driving farmers
matched for age, sex, ethnic group, land holding and work
routine.
Ø All participants were interviewed in detail for occurrence of low
back pain, examined clinically and a magnetic resonance image
(MRI) of the lumbar spine region was obtained.
Ø Evaluation of data revealed that the tractor-driving farmers
complain of backache more often than non-tractor-driving
farmers but there was no significant objective difference in
clinical or magnetic resonance imaging between the two groups.
 CONCLUSION
ØWhole-body vibration study focus on determining the
vibration and exposure levels that initiate physical and
mechanical changes in the body of vehicle operating
occupations.
ØThe results of this work could provide helpful guidelines
for vehicle manufacturers.
Thank you!!!