Effects of grip and push forces on the acute response of the hand-arm system under vibrating conditions.
The purpose of the occupational medicine component of a joint research project was to study the effects of grip and push forces on the acute reaction of the hand-arm system under vibrating conditions. Several series of experiments were carried out by means of a vibration simulator in a laboratory environment in order to study biodynamic vibration behaviour, muscle response, skin temperature, shifts of the vibration perception threshold and the intensity of subjective vibration perception; in addition, field tests with hammer drills were conducted. On the whole, the findings obtained suggest that the coupling of the hand with the handle involved in using vibrating tools has a considerable impact on the stresses to which the hand-arm system is exposed. For this reason, future national and international rules and regulations on vibration assessment should take into consideration the effects of variations in coupling intensity.
Hartung
E
E
Institut für Arbeits-und Sozialmedizin, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Bad Kreuznach, Germany.
Dupuis
H
H
Scheffer
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*