Assessment of hand-arm vibration syndrome in a northern Ontario base metal mine.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in 617 workers at a base metal mine in northern Ontario. Workers who were employed at the mine between the years 1989 and 1994 and who continued to live within a 100 km radius of the mine were sent a self-reported questionnaire to identify individuals with possible vibration-induced symptoms in their upper extremities. Of the 162 workers who attended the medical examination, 50% were diagnosed with HAVS, 26% had other diagnoses with some workers having multiple afflictions e.g., both HAVS and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). No vibration-induced symptoms were reported in 35% of the workers who were clinically normal. The study was designed to educate, advise, and to make recommendations on the prevention of HAVS. Ongoing commitments to technological improvements, mandatory and regular rest periods, and continuing educational sessions on the syndrome should help to reduce the prevalence of this disease.
Hill
C
C
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc.(Sudbury), 1780 Regent Street South, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 3Z8. CHill@ohcow.on.ca
Langis
W J
WJ
Petherick
J E
JE
Campbell
D M
DM
Haines
T
T
Andersen
J
J
Conley
K K
KK
White
J
J
Lightfoot
N E
NE
Bissett
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*