Research and occupational risk assessment related to city transportation drivers' exposure to mechanical vibration and noise, on the basis of dosimetric measurements, and the development of the principles of preventing the combined effect of vibroacoustic factors

Project manager: Jolanta Koton Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

"A method was developed for simultaneous dosimetric measurements of mechanical vibration and noise at workstations in city transportation. In order to do that seven vibration dosemeters were made. They were configured in two measurement sets, which made it possible to measure concurrently a vibration dose in three directions, at two workstations at the same time. Those vibration dosemeters are unique both in Poland and abroad. Software for transmitting, analysing and processing measurement data was also prepared.The developed method and the measurement-analysis systems were used to evaluate drivers' exposure to vibration and noise in city transportation in Warsaw. Vibration and noise measurements were done nonstop over a full-8 hour shift, in real conditions, during normal work of people who drive vehicles with passengers. Infrasound noise was also measured at workstations in buses.The task also involved studying the interdependence of vibration and noise present at workstations in the vehicles in question, establishing Pearson's correlation coefficient. It was shown that the dependence between vibration and acoustic signals is low or moderate.Preventive recommendations and a ""Vibration and noise database in city transportation and occupational safety related to vibroacoustic factors"" database were also developed."

Unit: Department of Vibroacoustic Hazards

Duration: 01.12.2003 – 31.12.2004