Inter-individual postural variability in seated drivers exposed to whole-body vibration

Long-term occupational exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) is a cause of low back pain for seated drivers. Poor and long-term seated postures are considered as a cofactor in the risk. It depends on the vehicle's ergonomics and tasks. Differences in posture may also be observed between operators doing identical tasks. An experiment has been performed in order to simultaneously measure posture and WBV for 12 drivers in 3 vehicles (loader, dumper and excavator) during controlled tasks. The inter-individual postural variability has been evaluated. The positions and movements of the body were measured with the CUELA system (computer-assisted recording and long-term analysis of musculoskeletal loads). Significant differences were observed between the three vehicles in the WBV, positions and movements of the body. Significant postural differences were observed between drivers (EN 1005-4 2005). Individual strategies for performing a task were also identified.

Posture is considered as a cofactor in the risk of low back pain for seated drivers exposed to whole-body vibration. Combined measurements revealed significant postural differences between drivers doing identical tasks. Depending on individual driving strategies, driver’s body segments could be significantly deviated from neutral body postures (EN 1005-4 2005).