[Development of rational work schedules for tunnel workers of schist mines]

The tunnelers of schist mines boring blast holes with hand drill are exposed to the discontinuous vibration and noise, which markedly exceed the MAL (12 and 11 dB respectively). Though the time of exposure is reduced by mechanization, it exceeds the safe limits due to unequal shift load on the tunnelers team. The improved working schedule includes equal cyclic participation of every tunneler in the boring and limits the contact with vibration and noise. High risk of vibration disease in tunnelers even following the allowable time of contact with hazards can result from such confounding factors as cooling microclimate, intensive physical strain. The recommendations reduce the duration of employment to 7 years and necessitate mastering two allied occupations.