There are at present no exposure limits for fatigue and vibration that are accepted by experts in the field. The limits for ?fatigue-decreased proficiency? in the current Australian Standard have been deleted from the new International Standard because they were not supported by research. There is anecdotal evidence that truck rides are often rough, uncomfortable and tiring. However, specific research on vibration and fatigue is limited and many authors have assumed a relationship without reference to supporting research. Some research shows a possible link between constant low frequency vibration and fatigue but more extensive research is required to establish meaningful exposure limits.
There is sufficient evidence that vibration exposure to drivers could be a health hazard particularly with regard to back problems. The relatively high vibration exposure levels combined with long exposure durations and prolonged sitting are likely to contribute to back pain and other health effects.
The current International Standard (ISO 2631 (1997) on whole-body vibration provides useable guidelines for vibration exposures and predicted health effects.
Recommendations for further research
1. An extensive experimental study on a possible relationship between vibration and fatigue could be considered, although it is likely that such research would be costly to conduct. Such a study is necessary to establish whether the effects of vibration would be noticeable among all other contributors to fatigue and each factor known to contribute to fatigue would need to be controlled for (eg time awake, time on task, rest and sleep, circadian factors).
2. There are limited published data on vibration exposure to drivers under Australian conditions. Available data indicates that exposures are likely to be high putting drivers at risk to health. A field survey of vibration levels experienced by heavy vehicle drivers under Australian conditions is recommended. Such data would be necessary to establish standards for trucks sold in Australia. A survey of this type need not be expensive because sufficient data could be obtained from a relatively small representative sample of drivers.
The survey would need to:
o provide information on typical vibration levels experienced by drivers under a range of operating conditions
o consider the practicality and relevance of exposure limits or guidelines for health, fatigue and comfort
o collect information on factors influencing vibration levels and ways to reduce vibration exposures to drivers
o develop simple and efficient vibration monitoring and reporting methods
Information collected from the survey could also form the basis of an information booklet for the trucking industry.
There is sufficient evidence that vibration exposure to drivers could be a health hazard particularly with regard to back problems. The relatively high vibration exposure levels combined with long exposure durations and prolonged sitting are likely to contribute to back pain and other health effects.
The current International Standard (ISO 2631 (1997) on whole-body vibration provides useable guidelines for vibration exposures and predicted health effects.
Recommendations for further research
1. An extensive experimental study on a possible relationship between vibration and fatigue could be considered, although it is likely that such research would be costly to conduct. Such a study is necessary to establish whether the effects of vibration would be noticeable among all other contributors to fatigue and each factor known to contribute to fatigue would need to be controlled for (eg time awake, time on task, rest and sleep, circadian factors).
2. There are limited published data on vibration exposure to drivers under Australian conditions. Available data indicates that exposures are likely to be high putting drivers at risk to health. A field survey of vibration levels experienced by heavy vehicle drivers under Australian conditions is recommended. Such data would be necessary to establish standards for trucks sold in Australia. A survey of this type need not be expensive because sufficient data could be obtained from a relatively small representative sample of drivers.
The survey would need to:
o provide information on typical vibration levels experienced by drivers under a range of operating conditions
o consider the practicality and relevance of exposure limits or guidelines for health, fatigue and comfort
o collect information on factors influencing vibration levels and ways to reduce vibration exposures to drivers
o develop simple and efficient vibration monitoring and reporting methods
Information collected from the survey could also form the basis of an information booklet for the trucking industry.
No comments:
Post a Comment