Title: A review on hand-arm vibration exposure and vibration transmissibility from power hand tools to hand-arm system

Authors: Siddhartha Saha; Parveen Kalra

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India ' Department of Production Engineering, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh, India

Abstract: In the last few decades, a large number of studies have been carried out on vibration exposure and its transmissibility from the handle of a powered hand tool to the hands of the operator. Vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders which Manifest as hand-arm vibration syndrome are commonly observed amongst workers in MSME sector and, therefore, its study assumes importance. This review article is a compilation of the work done by various researchers in the area of hand-arm vibration exposure. Measurement of vibration exposure along with their limits as given in international standards is reported. Different methods of vibration transmissibility and parameters influencing the same are also presented. A detailed chart is prepared to compare the research work done by different researchers in this field. Gaps in literature are compiled. Variations of grip force, elbow angle, resonance frequency and handle diameter are found to be significant factors when considering transmitted vibration to hand and arm. Further studies towards standardisation of methods and procedures are also suggested.

Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; hand-arm vibration; power tools; hand tools; resonance frequency; vibration exposure limits; vibration transmissibility; MSMEs; micro enterprises; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; literature review; grip force; elbow angle; handle diameter.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2016.076562

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2016 Vol.4 No.1, pp.10 - 46

Received: 05 Mar 2015
Accepted: 09 Oct 2015
Published online: 13 May 2016 *

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