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Hand-arm vibration and terrain vehicles

H Anttonen¹, H Virokannas, J Niskanen

¹Oulu Regional Institute of Occupational Health, Finland.

Central European Journal of Public Health

|January 1, 1995

Summary

Snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle use exposes drivers to significant hand-arm vibration, leading to symptoms like white finger and hand numbness. Technical improvements and protective measures are needed to mitigate these risks.

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Area of Science:

Occupational Health
Ergonomics
Vibration Engineering

Background:

Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is a recognized occupational hazard, particularly for operators of powered machinery.
Reindeer herders and terrain vehicle operators are at risk due to prolonged exposure to vibrating equipment like snowmobiles and ATVs.
Previous studies indicate a correlation between HAV exposure and neurological and vascular disorders in the hands.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify hand-arm vibration exposure levels in terrain vehicle operators.
To assess the prevalence of vibration-induced symptoms, such as white finger and hand numbness, in this population.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the ISO 5349 standard in predicting vibration-related health risks.

Main Methods:

Vibration measurements were conducted on the handlebars of terrain vehicles (N=36).
A postal inquiry surveyed 2705 reindeer herders (snowmobile drivers), with a specific subgroup (N=334) analyzed for snowmobile use.
Prevalence of white finger and hand numbness was reported, and vibration data was analyzed against ISO 5349 standards.

Main Results:

Snowmobile vibration levels averaged 3.5 m/s², with a range of 1.6-7.9 m/s².
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and terrain motorcycles showed higher vibration levels (5.5-11.8 m/s² and 6.9-12.7 m/s², respectively).
19% of subjects reported white finger attacks, and 48% experienced hand numbness; ISO 5349 effectively predicted white finger prevalence in the snowmobile group.

Conclusions:

Terrain vehicles, especially snowmobiles and ATVs, pose a significant risk for hand-arm vibration exposure.
Motor mounting and steering yoke resonance are critical factors influencing vibration transmission.
There is a clear need for improved healthcare, technical modifications, and protective strategies to reduce vibration-related symptoms in terrain vehicle operators.

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