Acute effects of shock-type vibration transmitted to the hand-arm system

The aim of the project was to find out whether shock-type vibration of hand-tools compared to non-impulsive vibration has stronger acute effects on the hand-arm system and therefore needs a stricter evaluation from the occupational health point of view in comparison with the requirements of the Draft International Standard ISO-DIS 5349. Under laboratory conditions, subjects were exposed to simulated vibration of hand-tools (grinder, chain saw, hammer-drill, pneumatic hammer, rivet hammer and nailer). The following evaluation criteria were used: biomechanical transmissibility of the hand-arm system (wrist, elbow joint, shoulder joint); muscle-activity (m. flexor carpi ulnaris, m. biceps, m. triceps); peripheral circulation (skin temperature) and subjective perception (comparison of intensity of standard and test vibrations). The results show no significant difference in acute effects on the hand-arm system between impulsive and non-impulsive type vibrations of the hand-tools tested with respect to the chosen vibration level, short-time exposure (up to 8 min) and evaluation criteria. In summary, therefore, it may be concluded that for the evaluation of shock-type vibration of the hand-tools tested, it is justified to use the existing Draft International Standard ISO-DIS 5349.