Course:SPPH381B/TermProject/Chef Knife - Shirley Deutsch/Whole body vibration

Truck driving Hazard - Whole body vibration (causing back pain)

It is estimated that on average six million Americans are exposed on the daily to whole body vibration. According to the National Institutes of Health such leads to health problems most notably lower back pain.

What is whole body vibration? what causes it, what factors that make it better or worse?

Whole body vibration is caused when mechanical energy is transferred to the body as a whole, most likely through a seat or platform. Most common exposures include driving trucks and operating industrial vehicles or machinery. Workers who drive construction vehicles or industrial trucks are at a higher risk.

What are the health effects associated with whole body vibration?

After or during exposure to whole body vibration one may have stomach problems, headache, loss of balance and "shakiness". After continuous daily exposure over a number of years, whole-body vibration can affect the entire body. Numeral Studies on truck drivers found that whole-body vibration was a main contribute to circulatory, bowel, respiratory, muscular and back disorders. Back problems as a result of whole body vibration are very common and the chances of suffering such a back injury increase the longer a worker is exposed and the higher the level of vibration. According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, If someone regularly drives or operate machinery, one can assume they are at risk for whole body vibration.

What levels of exposure are considered safe? How do you measure exposure?

It is a little difficult for agencies to measure the exposure level for whole body vibration as individuals sensitivity to vibration differences largely. The threshold value of vibration is the level which there is no risk of vibration post symptoms. Workers will most likely not develop vibration injuries or disease or serious back pain if exposure is maintained at low levels. Depends on the intensity of exposure, such symptoms may take months and sometimes years after the start of the exposure to appear.

How can this risk be reduced?

In order to reduce exposure, it is recommended that the vehicles and machinery in use will be are maintained, most importantly any suspension components. The driver's seat should be checked upon regularly to make sure it is in good shape and provides industry standard support. The suspension seat should be fitted for the employees weight and maintenance and inflation of tires should also be regulated. Another way to reduce the exposure to whole body vibration would be for the company to invest in low vibration vehicles and machinery and asking the manufactures of such such products how to maintain and reduce the effect. Through education topics and training on adjusting seat and proper posture, ways of identifying situations and how to reduce whole body vibration exposures, such exposure can be controlled. Other topics of discussion for the supervisor with the employees will be the importance of early reporting of discomfort or pain and how to receive medical attention.