Vibration
Machinery vibration can be transmitted to the operator through platforms, seats and handles. It can produce long-term health effects and needs to be controlled.
Types of machinery
- Hand-held or guided machines – hand/arm vibration transmitted through handles causes vascular damage which can lead to 'White finger disease'.
- Self-propelled machines – vibration from working platforms and seats affects the whole body and is associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
Operator errors
- Failure to maintain anti-vibration mountings
- Using unbalanced or incorrect fitting of spare parts
- Incorrect adjustment of seat suspension
Design points
- Ensure components are well balanced.
- Provide suspension, damping and anti-vibration mountings for handles, platforms and operator seats.
- Ensure handles are ergonomically designed to minimise grip force.
- Provide heating for handles on machines likely to be used in cold environments.
Operator instructions and training
Instructions for using this type of machinery must include clear guidance on:
- Maintenance and frequency of replacement for vibration reduction components.
- The hand/arm and whole body vibration emission levels under the expected range of operating conditions.
Find out more
- Vibration at Work
- Whole body vibration in agriculture AIS20
- Standard BS EN ISO 20643 – Hand-held and hand-guided machinery – Principles for evaluation of vibration emissions
- Standard BS EN 1032 – Mechanical vibration – Testing of mobile machinery in order to determine the vibration emission value