Department of Vibroacustic Hazards - Projects
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Abstract

Assessing exposure to mechanical vibration in in-house transport workers with view of prevention

Project manager: Piotr Kowalski Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

The main aim of the task consisted in identifying the hazard of mechanical vibration in workers involved with in-house transport and indicating ways of reducing this hazard. The main sources of exposure to mechanical vibration of in-house transport workers were identified. The main assemblies and subassemblies of machinery and equipment used in in-house transport were tested. Hand-arm and whole-body vibration were measured at selected 30 workstations of in-house transport operators. Vehicles and devices most commonly used in in-house transport were tested. Additionally, admissible duration of exposure were determined for each workstation. Optimal results were listed in test cards that were developed within the task. The determined values of daily exposure at all the tested workstations were compared. They were also compared with the relevant admissible exposure in current regulations. The assessment of exposure to mechanical vibration of in-house transport operators revealed that the assessed workstations could pose a great hazard to workers' health. Vibrations were satisfactorily reduced only at one in 10 workstations; in other cases vibrations increased. This shows that assessing the seat or its incorrect selection by the manufacturer or user of a vehicle is not an efficient way of reducing vibrations. A database with the results of the measurements at the workstations in in-house transport was developed. This makes it possible to introduce frequency characteristics of the measured signals.



Unit: Department of Vibroacustic Hazards

Duration: 01.01.2008 – 30.12.2010