Hand transmitted vibration measurement using experimentally simulated hand‐arm rig

Abstract

Hand transmitted vibration (HTV) is one of the most common hazards faced by workers in the construction industry. A major source of HTV is hand held percussion tools, such as pneumatically driven chipping hammers and rock drills. This paper presents a new approach to measuring the vibration from these tools using a mechanically simulated hand arm model to which the tools are attached. The simulated hand‐arm model has been designed to have similar dynamic characteristics to that of a human hand‐arm system. This approach addresses the issue of repeatability as HTV measurements suffer from variability between cases and from user to user. Different percussion tools ranging from a small chipping hammer to a rock drill, from two major construction equipment manufacturing companies, were used to conduct the vibration tests. The goals of these tests were to measure the vibration levels and to determine the most dominant modes of vibration. Comprehensive data analyses of the tests results are presented. Further, the paper discusses potential vibration control methods and expected performance levels.