Article: Whole-body vibration exposure among tractor drivers Journal: International Journal of Vehicle Performance (IJVP) 2019 Vol.5 No.3 pp.286 - 299 Abstract: A total of 450 experimental runs were performed at three speed levels, i.e., 5.6, 7.4 and 9.3 m/s as well as three sitting postures, i.e., lean forwards (LF), vertical erect with no back rest (VE-NB) and lean with back rest (L-WB). Majority of vibration levels were exceeding ISO 2631-1 1997 exposure action value. Vibration transmission was highest for posture LF followed by VE-NB and L-WB at 7.4 and 9.3 m/s, whereas VE-NB at 5.6 m/s followed by LF and L-WB. Subjective comfort responses are significant at 5% level for neck, shoulder and lower back with mean daily exposure levels. 1/3rd octave band showed dominant frequencies of 3.15 and 4 Hz that could affect health and safety of drivers due to existing natural frequencies of various body parts. It is recommended that tractors need more design efforts to damp vibration transmission along z axis so as to enhance ride comfort level. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Whole-body vibration exposure among tractor drivers

Authors: Amandeep Singh; Lakhwinder Pal Singh; Sarbjit Singh; Harwinder Singh

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, N.I.T. Post Office, GT Road, Punjab, 144011, India ' Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, N.I.T. Post Office, GT Road, Punjab, 144011, India ' Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, N.I.T. Post Office, GT Road, Punjab, 144011, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNDEC), Ludhiana, Gill Park, Punjab, 141006, India

Abstract: A total of 450 experimental runs were performed at three speed levels, i.e., 5.6, 7.4 and 9.3 m/s as well as three sitting postures, i.e., lean forwards (LF), vertical erect with no back rest (VE-NB) and lean with back rest (L-WB). Majority of vibration levels were exceeding ISO 2631-1 1997 exposure action value. Vibration transmission was highest for posture LF followed by VE-NB and L-WB at 7.4 and 9.3 m/s, whereas VE-NB at 5.6 m/s followed by LF and L-WB. Subjective comfort responses are significant at 5% level for neck, shoulder and lower back with mean daily exposure levels. 1/3rd octave band showed dominant frequencies of 3.15 and 4 Hz that could affect health and safety of drivers due to existing natural frequencies of various body parts. It is recommended that tractors need more design efforts to damp vibration transmission along z axis so as to enhance ride comfort level.

Keywords: tractor; occupational whole-body vibrations; health hazards; postural variability; ride comfort; weighting root mean square acceleration (A_w); daily exposure A(8); 1/3rd octave band analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVP.2019.100705

International Journal of Vehicle Performance, 2019 Vol.5 No.3, pp.286 - 299

Received: 04 May 2017
Accepted: 21 Nov 2017
Published online: 07 Jul 2019 *

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Title: Whole-body vibration exposure among tractor drivers

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