The Hand-Arm Vibration International Consortium (HAVIC): prospective studies on the relationship between power tool exposure and health effects.
OBJECTIVE
The Hand-Arm Vibration International Consortium (HAVIC) is a collaboration of investigators from Europe and North America studying health effects from hand-arm vibration (HAV). Features include prospective design, cross-cohort exposure, and health assessment methods.


METHODS
Two new cohorts (dental hygienists and dental hygiene students), two existing cohorts (Finnish forest workers, and Swedish truck cab assemblers), and a previous population (US shipyard workers) are included. Instruments include surveys, quantitative medical tests, physical examination, and work simulation and data logging to assess exposure. New methods were developed for nerve conduction and data logging.


RESULTS
Findings on the relationship between nerve conduction and skin temperature in HAV-exposed subjects resulted in a new approach to subject warming.


CONCLUSIONS
Integrating established cohorts has advantages over de novo cohort construction. Complex laboratory tests can be successfully adapted for field use.
Cherniack
Martin
M
Ergonomics Technology Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030-6210, USA. cherniack@nso.uchc.edu
Brammer
Anthony J
AJ
Lundstrom
Ronnie
R
Meyer
John D
JD
Morse
Tim F
TF
Neely
Greg
G
Nilsson
Tohr
T
Peterson
Donald
D
Toppila
Esko
E
Warren
Nicholas
N
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005060:Europe; D053421:Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*