Vibration Exposure: Employee Health Risk Assessment in the Workplace

Vibration Exposure in the Working Environment

What is Vibration?

Vibration can be defined as the transformation of potential energy into kinetic energy and kinetic energy into potential energy. Vibration, which can also be defined as the oscillation of an object around a subject, is one of the negative factors in terms of health, quality of life and working performance in the working environment.

Vibration generating machines are used in almost every field of industry. In general, two types of vibration can be mentioned:

Hand - Arm Vibration: This type of vibration is caused by machines in direct contact with hands or arms. Power tools, hand saws, drills and other powerful machines cause this type of vibration. Exposure to vibration with the hands and arms can often lead to vascular, nervous and musculoskeletal problems.

Daily exposure limit value for an eight-hour working period: 5 ^m/s2

Whole Body Vibration: This type of vibration affects the entire body and is usually caused by vibrations from vehicles, machinery or platforms working with machinery. Whole-body vibrations can trigger problems in the spine, lower back and pelvic areas.

Daily exposure limit value for an eight-hour working period: 1.15 ^m/s2

Health Effects of Vibration Exposure

Vibration exposure can cause varying degrees of adverse effects on workers' health. The following are the main health problems:

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Prolonged vibration exposure to the hand and arms can lead to a condition known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). HAVS can affect blood vessels, nerves and muscles, causing symptoms such as numbness, pain, coldness and weakened grip strength in the fingers. This can lead to permanent damage in the long term.

Back and Spine Problems

Vibrations spread throughout the body can cause back and spine problems. The constant impact of vibration on the body puts great stress on the muscles and spine and can cause back pain, herniated discs and joint pain.

Digestive System and Urinary Tract Problems

Vibrations radiating through the body can also affect the digestive and urinary tract. Workers exposed to vibration may experience digestive disorders, urinary tract problems and internal organ disorders.

Circulation Problems

People exposed to vibration can also develop circulatory problems. Exposing hands and arms to constant vibration can constrict blood vessels, leading to impaired blood flow, which can cause problems such as cold hands and bruising.

Brain Functions and Sensory Impairment

Individuals exposed to prolonged vibration may experience sensory impairment, numbness, especially in the hands, and coordination problems. In addition, the effect of vibrations can also adversely affect brain function.

Examples of common workplaces where hand-arm vibration exposure occurs are foundries, forestry activities, motor vehicle and ship manufacturing/repair, mines and quarries. Blood vessels, nerves and finger joints can be damaged in hand-arm exposure. White finger disease, Raynaud's phenomenon or hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) can occur.

Whole body vibration mostly affects workers in agriculture and construction. The vibration of construction machinery affects the whole body. The effects of whole body exposures on workers generally have effects on the intestinal and circulatory, musculoskeletal and neurological systems.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Vibration Exposure. We also provide services in Dust Measurement in the Workplace.

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