Whole-body vibration: health effects, measurement and minimization
Smith, Derek R., and Leggat, Peter A. (2005) Whole-body vibration: health effects, measurement and minimization. Professional Safety, 50 (7). pp. 35-40.
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Whole-body vibration (WBV) is the vibration transmitted to a person's entire body via contact with a vibration source, usually through sitting or standing on a vibrating surface. WBV is a common occupational problem for workers in high-vibration environments, particularly when the exposure represents a significant part of their working day. High-vibration workplaces are numerous and those exposed may include crane operators, tractor drivers, heavy equipment operators, and many kinds of car and truck drivers. Similarly, pilots - particularly helicopter pilots - may be exposed at significant rates. Health effects include, but are not limited to, headache, loss of balance, low back pain, degenerative disorders of the spine, and gastrointestinal diseases. For seated workers, prevention measures include seats and/or cushions that dampen vibrations and ergonomically correct postures. Standing workers should be provided with mechanically isolated flooring. Isolating the source of vibration and limiting exposure time are strategies for all exposed workers.
|Item Type:||Article (Refereed Research - C1)|
|Keywords:||health effects; occupational health; prevention; review; whole body vibration|
|Date Deposited:||27 Mar 2010 00:27|
|FoR Codes:||11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111705 Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety @ 50%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111706 Epidemiology @ 50%
|SEO Codes:||92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920504 Occupational Health @ 51%
92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920404 Disease Distribution and Transmission (incl. Surveillance and Response) @ 49%