Cornell University Ergonomics Web

DEA 3250/6510 CLASS NOTES

VIBRATION

Vibrating Hand Tools
People using devices that make the arms vibrate e.g. chain saw, weed whacker, jack hammer etc.

Vibration Induced White finger VIWF (also called Raynaud's Disease)- fingers become numb and begin blanching (turning white).
Initial symptoms:

1. Tingling and numbness in fingers - often persists after vibration has stopped.
2. One fingertip temporarily turns white, finger pain.
3. Increasing frequency of finger blanching.
4. Other fingers begin blanching - thumb doesn't usually turn white - after multiple fingers begin turning white, the disease is irreversible.
5. Increased frequency an painful attacks at any time.
6. Lose fingers - mostly forestry industry - chain saws - and where people working in the cold.

Triggering Factors

1. Cold - hands wet and/or cold.
2. Personal differences - gender differences - more women.
3. Frequency and duration of exposure to vibration .

Change tool design

1. Us e vibration-absorbing surfaces - padding, supply isolating surfaces.
2. Wear gloves- keep hands warm (even fingerless better than none at all) - absorb vibration (if properly designed).
3. Change the vibrating mechanism - isolation work - re-engineering the device.
4. (Sometimes) Set up counter-vibrations.

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