Machine vibration on loading docks can have serious consequences for worker health and workflow efficiency. How can we prevent them? In this article, we will address the risks associated with exposure to vibrations and how to prevent them.
Classification and impacts of hand-arm vibrations on operator health
On the safety of workers in the workplace, mechanical vibrations are transmitted in two ways.
Whole-body vibration:
These are global and therefore affect the entire body. They are produced by vehicles, machines, or platforms.
These vibrations are transmitted to the whole body:
- Whole-body vibrations are produced by handling carts, construction site machinery, and some fixed industrial machinery.
- In the most severe cases, these vibrations can lead to various pathologies:
- Low back pain, sciatica, or cruralgia due to herniated discs
- Nervous system disorders
- Digestive and urinary disorders, visual disturbances, sleep disorders, loss of balance, slowed reaction time, etc.
Hand-arm vibrations (set of symptoms called “vibration syndrome”):
Mechanical vibrations transmitted to the human hand and arm. They can be emitted by work tools or equipment such as drills, brushcutters, or jackhammers, for example.
Anyone who operates engine-powered equipment that produces high-frequency vibrations or violent shocks (such as a jackhammer, drill, buriner, or brushcutter). Daily exposure to vibrations can cause health problems such as:
- Vascular disorders, attacks of pallor (whitening) of one or more fingers
- Osteo-articular disorders
- Tingling and loss of tactile sensitivity in the fingers (neurological effect)
- Musculoskeletal disorders (pain, stiffness, muscle weakness, etc.)
Scale according to the frequency of mechanical vibrations:
- Very low frequency (less than 1 Hertz): can cause neurovegetative disorders (nausea, vomiting, dizziness), as well as central nervous system disorders
- Low frequencies (less than 50 Hertz): can cause visual disturbances, lower back and/or back pain, as well as herniated discs caused by the use of construction site machinery
- High frequencies (above 50 Hertz): can cause MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders), osteoarthritis, wrist sprains, and cramps.
Whole-body vibrations in logistics
The logistics and goods transport sector presents significant health risks for workers due to exposure to permanent vibrations. The prolonged sitting position of forklift operators causes vibrations to be transmitted through the buttocks, back, and feet. Thus, occupational exposure to vibrations affects the entire body, leading to muscle fatigue, low back pain, circulatory disorders, and other health problems.
According to a Spanish national survey on working conditions, 30.2% of workers in the transport sector surveyed also consider exposure to mechanical vibrations to be a major risk in the workplace.
Mechanical vibrations: what factors?
A machine vibrates differently depending on how it is used. Thus, different aggravating factors linked to the work environment, the equipment, or the operator cause vibration emissions. For example, this could include moving on uneven terrain or at an inappropriate speed, as well as the load being carried.
This is why it is essential to take these factors into account when selecting and using handling tools in order to minimize workers’ exposure to mechanical vibrations.
Adopting preventive measures to reduce vibrations
Since vibrations are considered a risk factor for the health of workers exposed to them, it is necessary to adopt appropriate preventive measures to mitigate them. The preventive measures that can be adopted are as follows:
- Avoid risks as far as possible.
- Assess risks that cannot be avoided.
- Use equipment with anti-vibration systems or vibration dampers.
- Carry out regular maintenance of the equipment to ensure its proper functioning.
- Establish a program of technical and organizational measures to reduce the risk to the lowest possible level if exposure to vibrations cannot be avoided and exceeds the established values.
Dock levelers and vibrations
Dock levelers, which consist of a platform, ramp lips, and a hydraulic system, are essential tools for bridging the gap between trucks and warehouse floors. While their design doesn’t inherently cause significant vibrations, improper installation or usage on uneven terrain can lead to platform vibrations due to ground irregularities.
Key points:
- Dock levelers should not generate significant vibrations when installed and used correctly.
- Improper installation or usage on uneven surfaces can cause platform vibrations.
- Proper use and maintenance of dock levelers are crucial for minimizing vibration exposure for operators.
For more information about our bevel lip dock levelers and how they can help reduce vibration exposure, please feel free to contact us.
