Comparing Health Risks among Vehicle Operators in Construction Sites exposed to Whole-Body Vibration Using EU directive 2002/44/EC and ISO 2631-1

Abstract

In Sri Lanka, although workers in construction sites face with several risk factors, they are less aware about risk factors such as exposing Whole-Body Vibration (WBV). Two of main legislations, ISO 2631-1 and EU directive 2002/44/EC, use average weighted RMS acceleration and daily vibration exposure value A(8), respectively, to predict the health risk and discomfort of workers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate health risks and discomfort among vehicle operators exposed to Whole Body-Vibration (WBV) based on the criteria given in EU directive 2002/44/EC and ISO 2631-1. Many of operators selected in this study are exposed to vibrations that exceed the Exposure Action Value (EAV). Among the operators, only the Soil roller compactor operator was in the Health Caution Zone as specified in ISO 2631-1. Nevertheless all the operators were in extremely uncomfortable level besides Front end loader operator and the Dozer operator. Therefore, interventions, such as seat redesign, introduce a policy for buying low vibration vehicles and machinery, choose the right vehicle for the ground surface and task, introduce several rest breaks while operating the machineries, effective training on operating the large vehicles can positively affect WBV exposure and improve operators comfort.