Whole Body Vibration Exposure Among Tractor Drivers: The Effect of Varying Subject, Speed and Posture Levels

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the Whole Body Vibration (WBV) levels among Indian on-road tractor drivers under varying sitting and operating conditions. Three tractor drivers with an average age 26.33 ± 2.05, weigh 77 ± 7.87, stature 170.67 ± 4.03 were selected on the basis of convenience sampling. Each of the selected subject was having an average tractor driving experience of five (5) years. Tractor was operated at three different average speeds i.e. 5.6, 7.4 and 9.2 m/s and three body postures i.e. lean forward (LF), vertical erect with no backrest (VENB) and lean with backrest (LB). The WBV levels were evaluated in terms of root mean square (RMS) weighted acceleration (Aw) along three the three translational axes namely: fore-and-aft (x), lateral (y) and vertical (z), respectively. Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array was used to formulate design of experiment and each experiment has been replicated over three times. The Aw levels have been found dominant along the vertical axis and exposure action value (EAV) was exceeding the recommended EU values. Both speed as well as posture conditions were found significant (p ≤ 0.05) along the x and z axis. It has been suggested that the tractors need appropriate design and operating improvements in order to enhance human health.KeywordsTractorTaguchiWeighted RMS acceleration (Aw)Exposure action value (EAV)ANOVA