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Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of vibration exposure for interment technicians.

Authors

Ramsey-JG; Lowe-BD; Werren-DM

Source

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 2011-0166-3175, 2013 Apr; :1-11

Link

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2011-0166-3175.pdf 

NIOSHTIC No.

20042495 

Abstract

The HHE Program evaluated concerns about injuries to an interment crew at a cemetery. Investigators spoke with employees about their health and safety concerns and measured the distance employees had to reach to operate equipment controls. Most operators' feet did not touch the foot controls when their back was against the backrest of the dumper, causing a larger portion of the forces from vehicle vibration to be absorbed through the seat and into the buttocks, pelvis, and torso. Whole body vibration measurements were taken during operation of a 10-ton power tip dumper and backhoe. Investigators also compared whole body vibration exposures during different driving speeds and loading conditions and found that higher speeds on the dumper produced more whole body vibration. Interment employees were exposed to whole body vibration due to the configuration of the dumper and the condition of the roadways and soil shed area. Investigators concluded that operating the dumper caused more whole body vibration than operating the backhoe. HHE Program investigators recommended that the employer restrict driving speeds of the dumper and backhoe by either installing a governor device on the equipment or by establishing a speed policy for employees. Roadways should be improved and maintained regularly and the unpaved soil shed area and access roadways leading to the area should be graded more often. Investigators also recommended rotating employees through tasks on the dumper and backhoe more frequently.

Keywords

Injuries; Injury-prevention; Accident-prevention; Equipment-operators; Equipment-design; Vibration; Vibration-exposure; Construction-equipment; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Ergonomics; Author Keywords: Cemeteries and Crematories; ergonomics; whole body vibration; dumper; musculoskeletal disorders

Publication Date

20130401

Document Type

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

Fiscal Year

2013

NTIS Accession No.

PB2013-107105

NTIS Price

A03

Identifying No.

HETA-2011-0166-3175; B20130520

NIOSH Division

DSHEFS; DART

SIC Code

NAICS-812220

Source Name

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

State

OH