Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2025
Measurement of the Hand Transmitted Vibration of the Human Hand Arm System During Operation of a Hand Tractor
Published on: June 16, 2021
Association between Whole-Body Vibration exposure and musculoskeletal disorders among dumper operators: A
Rahul Upadhyay1, Ashis Bhattacherjee1, Aditya Kumar Patra1
1Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India.
Background:
Dumper operators in mines worldwide are subjected to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) due to whole-body vibration exposure. This study evaluated the working-life-Whole-Body Vibration (WBV)-exposure and their association with various MSDs among dumper operators in mines which remains poorly addressed.
Methods:
This case-control study in Indian iron ore mines was conducted to compare randomly selected 65 dumper operators and 65 office workers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and were analysed using logistic regression models.
Results:
The study revealed that majority of the dumper operators were exposed to WBV exceeding the ISO-2631 limits. Compared with controls, the dumper operators had a much higher risk of upper back pain (age-overweight-adjusted odds ratio ORao = 5.37, 95% CI = 1.78-16.20), lower back pain (ORao = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.25-5.94), knee and leg pain (ORao = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.22-11.11), and having 2+ MSDs (ORao = 5.05, 95% CI = 1.88-13.51, vs. no MSDs). Working-life-WBV-exposure was higher among dumper operators having upper back pain (mean (SD) = 7.1 (1.91) vs. 5.7 (1.91), p < 0.01) and lower back pain (mean (SD) = 6.63 (2.10) vs. 5.55 (1.71), p < 0.01) compared to those without these MSDs. Older age was associated with higher risk of MSD pains.
Conclusion:
Dumper operators have excess MSDs due to high working-life-WBV-exposure. Their MSDs and working-life-WBV-exposure should be regularly evaluated and reduced.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...