Controlling Whole-Body Vibration

Vibration is an occupational hazard in the workplace. It is separated into two sub categories – Hand-Arm vibration (HAV), which is usually associated with the use of vibrating hand tools, and Whole-Body Vibration (WBV), which is experienced when the operator or driver sits or stands on or in a vibrating machine. Such operations include truck and tractor driving, forklift operating, and driving earth moving machines

The health effects from vibration is caused by the energy wave that is transferred from the energy source (i.e., a hand tool or vehicle) into the body of the operator and is transmitted through the body tissues, organs, and systems of the individual. The body can tolerate certain levels of vibration, but eventually starts to deteriorate and fail as long-term damage is done and natural processes and systems of the body are disrupted.

The most pronounced and common effect of WBV is lower back pain, resulting from the degeneration of the intervertebral discs in the spinal column. Muscle fatigue also occurs as the muscles try to react to the vibrational energy to maintain balance and protect and support the spinal column. Other health effects that have been associated with WBV, and especially the driving environment, are hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, kidney disorders, and even impotence and other adverse reproductive effects in both men and women.

Prevention or mitigation of exposure to WBV is generally accomplished by eliminating the vibration source, reducing vibration at the source, reducing the transmission of vibration to the body, or reducing the duration of vibration exposure. The following are recommendations to control the exposure to WBV.

Train workers to recognize the warning signs of WBV injury.

Medically monitor workers who routinely use products associated with WBV.

Consider rotating jobs to limit worker exposure to WBV, but beware of increasing the number of workers exposed to risk.

Check, lubricate, and maintain seat, cab, and chassis suspensions according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Keep suspension seats in vehicles in good working order and replace when worn out. A seat usually has a shorter working life than that of the vehicle.

Replace vibration dampers in suspension seats when worn out.

Show drivers how to adjust seats so that they are able to easily reach the vehicle’s pedals.

Show drivers how to use and adjust back supports.

Show drivers how to adjust the seat so it provides support for their thighs.

Show drivers how to adjust the suspension mechanism correctly. A suspension seat is usually adjusted in the middle of the suspension range for a particular driver’s weight.

Balance all machinery to eliminate unwanted vibration.

Change machinery speed so the resulting vibration frequency is not in a range that affects the human body.

Use additional mass to shift the natural frequency of the machine.

Level all roads or tracks that heavy machinery uses as a platform for movement.

Fill in all potholes that might cause problems for powered industrial trucks.

Adjust bridge cranes to ensure the rail track of a bridge crane provides a smooth ride.

COPYRIGHT ©2006, ISO Services Properties, Inc.

Does Your Facility Need an Emergency Action Plan?

In general, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Standard 29 CFR 1910.38, Emergency Action Plans (EAP), requires employers to develop plans to handle fires and other emergencies that may require evacuation of the premises. Such plans must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and be available to employees for review; however, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally.

This handout presents information provided by OSHA that can be used by employers to identify their need to develop an EAP. It is important to note that this information does not alert employers to other OSHA standards that may be associated with the emergency plan or to the additional OSHA standards that apply to their facilities.

QUESTION	YES	NO
Are fire extinguishers provided in the workplace?
Are the fire extinguishers intended for employee use?
Will any of your workers be required to evacuate the workplace?
If you answered “no” to either of the first two or “yes” to all three questions then you are required by OSHA to develop an EAP. Otherwise, you should continue with the questions below

 

QUESTION	YES	NO
Does your facility use a total flooding extinguishing system that provides any one of the following design concentrations: 4 percent or greater of Halon 1211? 4 percent or greater of carbon dioxide? 10 percent or greater of Halon 1301, or concentrations exceeding 7 percent when egress from an area cannot be accomplished in one minute?
Does your facility use a fire detection system with alarms or devices that are delayed by more than 30 seconds for reasons other than a total flooding extinguishing system listed above?
Are you required to comply with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.119, Process Safety Management?
Are you required to comply with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.272, Grain Handling Facilities?
Are you required to comply with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1047, Ethylene Oxide?
Are you required to comply with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1050 Methylenedianiline?
Are you required to comply with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1051, 1,3-Butadiene?
Do you plan to evacuate all of your employees and to rely on an outside party to provide emergency response to a hazardous substance release? Note: if a hazardous substance emergency could occur at your facility and you plan to have any of your employees participate in the emergency response, you are required to have an emergency response plan consistent with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.120(q) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.
If you answered “YES” to any one of the questions above, you are required by OSHA to develop an EAP.

 

COPYRIGHT ©2006, ISO Services Properties, Inc.