Simultaneous field measuring method of vibration and body posture for assessment of seated occupational driving tasks

• Published in: International journal of industrial ergonomics 2008-03, Vol.38 (3), p.255-263
• Main Authors: Hermanns, Ingo, Raffler, Nastaran, Ellegast, Rolf P., Fischer, Siegfried, Göres, Benno
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assessment method; Field measurements; Occupational drivers; Sitting body posture; Whole body vibration
• ISSN: 0169-8141; 1872-8219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2007.05.007

This study was conducted to introduce a field measuring system which allows for continuous and simultaneous measurements of body posture and whole body vibration. Compared to observational or questionnaire studies, field measurements provide posture data in an objective and quantitative way, which precisely represent the loads of work activities. This evaluation system combines the instantaneous values of the vibration exposure with those of the body posture during routine work tasks. Three tasks among occupational motor vehicle drivers and one Cargo Van driver for reference are sampled in this article. The statistical analysis of vibration and postural workload as a percentage of working time indicates the diverse workloads performing different tasks. In order to investigate musculoskeletal health risks the data of this field measuring system with the related evaluation method for postural and vibration workloads can be an important precondition to epidemiological studies. A quantitative methodology is introduced to investigate and evaluate body posture and vibration exposure synchronously. The obtained method later on could allow for a correlation to occupational diseases and to develop prevention recommendations.