1. Occupational vibration syndrome Exposure, standards, surveillance
Department of Occupational Medicine
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Markku Sainio
Markku Vanhanen

2. Occupational vibration
Periodic motion of a body in alternate opposite directions from a position of rest
Mathematical "vector quantity"= described by both a direction and a magnitude
directions of vibration
acceleration
Present in most work settings where mechanical equipment is used

3. Measurements and standards
ACGIH TLVs 1984
4 m/s2 < 8 hours a day
6 m/s2 < 6 hours a day
8 m/s2 < 2 hours a day
12 m/s2 < 1 hour a day
ISO 5349 (1986)
Standard for measurements over frequencies from 5 to 1500 Hz
Mitä laatua käytetään, millaiset tasot aih tautia, impact vibration (high impulsiveness) important!

4. Dose-response curves and threshold limits are not applicable to all tools
are derived from chain-saw data
do not take into account impulsiveness and high frequency of many tools

5. Directive 2002/44/EC…
.. on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration)...
daily (8 h) exp. limit value m/s2
daily exp. action limit value 2,5 m/s2

6. Prevalence of white finger symptoms
In Finnish forest workers:
40% in 1972
7% in 1980

7. HAV as occupational disease in Finland 1990-2002
ROD FIOH
(3 yrs)

8. Occupations (FIOH 1990-2002) Chain saw work 22 Construction worker 17
Miners+ drillers
Machine work,-repair, tool makers
Welders
Pipework
Railroad or road work 4
Stonework
1-2 : dental technician, teacher, painter, manufacture of diff. devices, plastics worker etc.

9. Exposure Vibration level, acceleration, frequency, impulses
Duration, continuity
Radiation of the vibration (tool weight, grip strength, hand position, exposure area)
Temperature
Clothing

10. Exposure
Vibration level of a tool may be difficult to estimate without proper measurements
Duties to the manufacturers of tools and to employers on informing and measuring the levels
and on employee protection and information

11. Health surveillance
Periodic health examinations in occupational health units
at 1-3 year intervals, depending on vibration levels and duration
Symptoms
Clinical examination
If symptoms, referral to FIOH, for example

12. Prevention Decrease exposure to minimum Stop smoking
technical improvements of tools
minimum exposure time
clothing, gloves, temperature, pauses etc.
Maintenance of knowledge on vibration levels of tools in use, especially new ones
Stop smoking
Periodic health examinations

13. Prevention Decrease exposure to minimum Temperature Stop smoking
technical improvements of tools
minimum exposure time
gloves etc.
Maintenance of knowledge on vibration levels of new tools taken into use
Temperature
Stop smoking
Periodic health examinations