title: Measuring coupling forces woodcutters exert on saws in real working conditions.
abstract: Prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) generated by chainsaws can cause HAV syndrome, i.e., disorders in the upper extremities of forestry workers. Progress of HAV syndrome depends on the intensity of mechanical vibration transmitted throughout the body, which is directly proportional to coupling forces applied by the woodcutter to a vibrating tool. This study aimed to establish a method of measuring coupling forces exerted by chainsaw workers in real working conditions. Coupling forces exerted by workers with their right and left hands were measured with a hydro-electronic force meter. Wood hardness, the type of chainsaw and the kind of forest operation, i.e., felling, cross-cutting or limbing, were considered.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Faculty, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. jmalinowska@sum.edu.pl
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malinowska-Borowska
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harazin
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zieliński
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006804:Ergonomics; D016468:Forestry; D053421:Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011312:Pressure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*