Abstract
Vibration is experienced when a body is subjected to either internal or external forces which cause oscillation, with most operators of industrial equipment often exposed to high dosage, higher than the stipulated values. In this research, Digital Real-Time Frequency Analyzer (RSA 5106A) was used, while the results obtained were evaluated and compared with the health guidelines of the ISO 2631-1 : 1997 and ISO 2631-5 : 2004 standards, as described in the Health Guidance Caution Zone for a daily exposure action value (EAV) of 0.47 m/s2 and a daily exposure limit value (ELV) of 0.93 m/s. High acceleration was mostly seen on the z-axis in all the results obtained, whereas many were not within the HGCZ (Arms <0.47, and >0.93 m/s2). Comparing (VDV <8.5 m/s1.75 and >17 m/s1.75) with the ISO standard, the accelerations on all x- and y-axes were slightly within the HGCZ, with just a little below 0.47 m/s2 limit. The results obtained clearly showed that urgent action is needed virtually on all the equipment in both the Secondary Manufacturing Department (SMD) and Primary Manufacturing Department (PMD) to minimize vibration exposure on the technical operators.
Highlights
Due to increase in industrial developments, most operators are exposed to vibration at work place every day
Maintenance details and schedules of all the machines in Secondary Manufacturing Department (SMD) and Primary Manufacturing Department (PMD) were obtained from the maintenance department, with vibration data taken from all the equipment, Limits B1 upper limit B1 lower limit
The daily vibration exposure action value according to the European Directive [21] standard value is 0.5 m/sec2 [24], which indicated a negative health effect is possible on the operators, and several actions must be taken to minimize the exposure and to alleviate the health risks
Summary
Due to increase in industrial developments, most operators are exposed to vibration at work place every day. Vibration in humans can either be whole-body vibrations (WBVs) or hand-arm vibrations (HAVs). WBV resulted from the operation of different equipment in the manufacturing industries such as food production, mining and construction, agriculture, and general running equipment either while sitting, resting on the back seat in vehicles, or standing on them [1], and it causes discomfort, in-efficiency due to fatigue, and serious health hazards. High exposure to WBV and undesirable posture are seen as main causes of musculoskeletal pains among the technical operators and drivers [3]; as a result of greater demand in production volume, many operators work throughout the year with little or no break or interruption in all working hours in a day, throughout the week, and with few days break in 365 days in a year; occupational vibration was subjected to accumulation of vibration energy transmitted throughout the daily working hours [4].
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