OUR SERVICES

Whole Body Vibration (WBV)

Whole body vibration (and high amplitude jolts and jars – shock) is known to be a contributing factor to muscle fatigue, stiffness, lower back pain and serious physical injury.

OHSA conducts 100’s of whole body vibration (WBV) assessments on mining and transport plant each year with a vibration dosimeter (with simultaneous floor and seat tri-axial accelerometers) to measure exposure levels to determine compliance with the recommended levels in Australian Standard AS2670.

Our qualified professionals collect representative samples (30mins) with negligible interruption of plant productivity.The data can be used to determine seat efficiency, set-up, condition and seating selection, vehicle condition, efficiency, terrain roughness etc.

Included among potentially harmful dusts are silica, asbestos, sugar cane fibre, carborundum, diatomite, talc and cotton dust - each of which can produce its own form of lung damage when dust control is inadequate. The most common harmful dust in mines is that which contains silica, and it would appear that the harmfulness increases with the increase in the percentage of silica in the dust. Also, the most harmful dust is that which is less than 5 microns in size, that is, particles smaller than 0.005 mm. As this dust is not visible to the naked eye, it does not follow that because dust cannot be seen there is no danger.

OHSA have also been engaged to make comparative assessments with different manufacturers of mining equipment. Assessments have also been conducted post-injury for incident investigations to determine road and terrain condition and general exposure and peak levels. The results can also assist site management determine administrative controls for plant exposure times for various plant, recommended rotation schedules etc.

Hand Arm Vibration

Hand-arm vibration is caused by the use of vibrating hand-held tools, such as pneumatic jack hammers, drills, gas powered chain saws, and electrical tools such as grinders. The nature of these tools involves vibration (a rapid back and forth type of motion) which is transmitted from the tool to the hands and arms of the person holding the tool. Vibration Syndrome and Vibration-Induced White Finger (VWF) or Raynaud's Syndrome are the major health hazards related to the use of vibrating tools.

Vibration Syndrome is a group of symptoms related to the use of vibrating tools and includes -some or all of the following: muscle weakness, muscle fatigue, pain in the arms and shoulders, and vibration-induced white finger. Vibration-Induced White Finger (VWF), also known as "Dead Finger" or "Dead Hand" is the result of impaired circulation (poor blood supply) in the fingers, caused by the prolonged use of vibrating tools. VWF may appear after only several months on the job, or may not appear until twenty to forty years on the job. Temporary tingling or numbness during or soon after use of a vibrating hand tool is not considered to be VWF, however tingling and numbness in the fingers lasting more than an hour after finishing work may indicate early stages of VWF.

The Australian Standard AS 2763 ‘Vibration and shock – Hand Transmitted Vibration’ does not provide exposure limits but it does outline a guide to probability for the development of VWF at different exposure levels. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) provides recommendations on the limits for exposure of the hand to vibration.

Our qualified professionals have conducted numerous assessments on hand-held power tools with hand arm vibration dosimeters in manufacturing and industrial environments to determine exposure levels. The data is then used to implement risk management controls in accordance with the hierarchy of control – engineering to administration/PPE recommendations including advice on pre-employment, training programs, checklists and warm-up/stretching programs.