Development Of Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome Research Articles

Application of system analysis methods for modeling the development of hand-arm vibration syndrome: problems and approaches to solution

The paper presents the approaches to the use of system analysis methods in modelling of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in workers exposed to local vibration. The practice of using regression, information-entropy models artificial deep neural networks based on deep learning taking into account the dose of local vibration as an exposure factor is shown. The construction of HAVS occurrence model in the form of a multi-parameter regression approximated using a multilayer neural network is considered. A binary classifier that allows a set of attributes to attribute a person to a group of healthy people or to a group of people with HAVS is built. After training, the HAVS dynamics model made it possible to obtain a qualitative picture of the dependence of changes in the endocrine system on the individual experience dose of vibration and to determine the period of increased risk of pathology. The method applying to the occupational diseases differential diagnosis support system integration is discussed. Further study directions are also outlined.

THE RATIONALE FOR THE USE OF INDICES OF A NON-SPECIFIC LINK OF PATHOGENESIS AND THE DOSE OF LOCAL VIBRATION WHEN PREDICTING THE RISK OF DEVELOPING A VIBRATIONAL DISEASE

Introduction. The importance of attracting to predict the development of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) nonspecific indices of violations of the basic functional systems, for which the dose or exposure dependences can be clearly established, is shown. There is shown the importance of attracting non-specific indices of violations of the main functional systems of the body, for which dose or exposure dependencies can be clearly established to predict the development of vibrational disease (VD) due to a local vibration. Material and methods. The studies were carried out on the information array of personalized indices of the functional systems in aircraft production workers exposed to local vibration. There was used a multiplicity of exceeding the maximum dose of vibration as an index of the vibration effect during the work. Information-entropy modeling was used to predict the risk of changes in functional systems formation. Results. Analysis of calculations in different variants of diagnostic models allowed drawing a conclusion that the pathological indices of the main activity of the brain and thyroid system made the greatest contribution (82.6%) to HAVS formation among the studied combinations. In the model with the consideration of the indices of the main activity of the brain and the thyroid system, an increase in the equivocation of the system to almost 100% were and by 3 times increasing differences between the coefficients of redundancy characterizing the relative organization of the system in the norm and pathology were noted. Conclusion. The conducted studies have allowed substantiating the high importance of non-specific indices of the pathogenesis of HAVS (Central nervous system and thyroid systems), which opens up opportunities to attract them to the structure of the model, taking into account the dose of local vibration. It is proposed to consider the expansion of the information base with the involvement in the model, along with indices of the specific link of the pathogenesis of HAVS and indices of its nonspecific link.

Anti-vibration gloves?

For exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV), personal protective equipment is sold in the form of anti-vibration (AV) gloves, but it remains unclear how much these gloves actually reduce vibration exposure or prevent the development of hand-arm vibration syndrome in the workplace. This commentary describes some of the issues that surround the classification of AV gloves, the assessment of their effectiveness and their applicability in the workplace. The available information shows that AV gloves are unreliable as devices for controlling HTV exposures. Other means of vibration control, such as using alternative production techniques, low-vibration machinery, routine preventative maintenance regimes, and controlling exposure durations are far more likely to deliver effective vibration reductions and should be implemented. Furthermore, AV gloves may introduce some adverse effects such as increasing grip force and reducing manual dexterity. Therefore, one should balance the benefits of AV gloves and their potential adverse effects if their use is considered.

The effect of wear of petrol engine power brush cutters on their vibration exposure

The matter of noise and vibration exposure has an accentuated emphasis in the environmental protection policy of the European Union. In practice, the focus is on the evaluation of noise -strain. The evaluation on human beings' vibration-strain is in focus in recent years. At the Technical Department in Corvinus University of Budapest Faculty of Horticultural Sciences we evaluate in PhD training form the possible ways of alleviation and revealance of noise and vibration-strain in gardening devices and machineries. According to the latest development in gardening culture, small gardening machines are more and more widespread. There is a law in Hungary for the compulsory grass-cutting, especially on 'ragweed' (Ambrosia elatior). Along highways, public territories, parks workmen at least six months are in charge to terminate these weed-crops meanwhile they are endangered by serious harmful effects. The operators of hand-held power tools are exposed comprehensive levels of hand-arm vibration at the tool-hand interface. Many studies indicate that extended exposure to mechanical vibration can induce degeneration of the vascular and sensioneural systems in the hand called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). The precise mechanism for the initiation and development of HAVS is unclear to date. Measurement and risk assessment of hand-transmitted vibration is mostly based on the guidelines and dose-response relationship provided in the ISO-5349 standard. These guidelines suggest that the magnitude, frequency, direction and duration of vibration exposure are the most important variables for the risk assessment of hand-arm vibration. This current study is focusing on brush cutters owned by one of the biggest caretaker company. These machines have similar brand and age but different in usage time. We inquired seven brush cutters through two years. The manufacturer repaid the vibration level of the new machines, but they doesn't examine, whether extent of the vibration emission is changing for the proper use. We wanted to know that are there any differences between the values of vibration specification after certain time of usage. Is it possible to monitor the alternate movements on graphs according to the vibration sciences? By Ill octave band frequency and FFT analysis we can point at that these brush cutters can show differences in critical frequencies. These biases can influence the hand-arm system and its vibration-strain burdening.

A Study of the Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome in Okinawa, a Subtropical Area of Japan.

The purpose of this study was to understand the peculiarity of the development of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) in a subtropical area of Japan. We analyzed the medical records of 21 subjects reported by the Okinawa Labor Bureau, and tried to determine whether the warm environment has any effect on the severity of HAVS. The mean operating time of vibration tools for all the subjects was over 10,000 hrs. Almost all the subjects from Okinawa had been working only in Okinawa. The presence of Vibration Induced White Fingers (VWF) was markedly smaller in the subjects from Okinawa as compared to those from other prefectures. The results of Cold Water Immersion Tests were similar for all subjects. Ten minutes after the Cold Water Immersion Test, the mean finger skin temperature was about 19 degrees C in all subjects. These findings suggest that not only the operating time of vibration tools but also the warm environment might have an effect on the severity of HAVS. However, the number of subjects in our study was very small. There is the need therefore for further investigations with a larger number of subjects.

The NIOSH criteria for the control of hand-arm vibration syndrome in occupationally exposed workers

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a chronic progressive disorder with a latency period that may vary from a few months to many years. The development of HAVS in a population of workers depends on many interacting factors, including level of vibration produced by the tool, hours of tool use per day, environmental conditions, type and design of the tool, manner in which the tool is used, vibration spectrum produced by the tool, vibration tolerance of the worker, and the use of drugs and tobacco by the worker. Because of the complex interactions among these and other factors, the general lack of experimentally derived data, and the uncertainty associated with some vibration measurements, it is currently not possible to establish meaningful dose-response relationships. Thus it is not possible to establish a specific recommendation exposure limit (REL) that will protect workers against the development of HAVS in all occupational situations. Here, NIOSH has recommended a standard for exposure to hand-arm vibration that includes no specific exposure limit, but does include engineering controls, good work practices, use of protective clothing and equipment, worker training programs, administrative controls, and medical monitoring and surveillance.