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Surface » Whole-body Vibration
Design Philosophy:
Whole-body Vibration
Objective
The objective is to minimise (to ALARP) the risk of events related to exposures to harmful whole-body vibration (WBV) from equipment or the operating environment, that might lead to injury, illness or damage, including consideration in design to foreseeable human error.
Outcome
The intended design outcome should include the following:
- Operator WBV exposure levels that do not exceed the levels specified in ISO 2631.1:1997, extrapolated for 12-hour shifts
- Where various operating modes and conditions (e.g. dozer ripping) lead to levels in excess of ISO 2631.1:1997 exposure levels (extrapolated for 12-hour shifts) clear and practical limitations on exposure time should be provided
- For equipment where operating modes and conditions are likely to exceed ISO 2631.1:1997 exposure levels, vibration monitoring that allows the operator to identify excessive vibration should be provided
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Risks to be Mitigated
Risk of WBV induced occupational injury and illness to operators and trainers (long latency)
(38 resources)
Risk of vibration injury from use of passenger seats that do not have adequate suspension
(7 resources)
Risk that operator is not aware of machine degradation, design limits or conditions that cause excessive vibration
(3 resources)Examples of Industry Attempts to Mitigate Risks
Seats designed as follows:
- In accordance with AS2670 and/or SANS 2631-1
- High backed, fully suspended and adjustable
- Robust and anchored securely to provide adequate anchorage for safety belts
- Adjustable damping for vertical suspension
Seat belts and anchorages for operator and all passengers designed as follows:
- In accordance with AS 2664 or SAE J386 or ISO 6683
- In other than tracked equipment, three-point anchorage inertia-reel seat belts fitted (tracked equipment should be two-point anchorage)
- Audible and visual alarm system to indicate seatbelt is not being worn when machine is in motion
Remote control of vehicles
EMESRT Information