• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2009

The goal of this study was to assess the level of vibration in an walking-type cultivator, and to provide a basic information to manage the vibration exposure for farmers. The latent periods of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) were assessed through analyzing the vibration levels and frequency characteristics. Also, vibration acceleration levels based on the daily vibration exposure duration was suggested. The latent periods of vibration-induced white finger were assessed by ISO 5349 method. The latent periods were 4.5 and 10.1 years at 10% and 50% of farmer group, respectively. Also, under ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) standard, daily vibration exposure duration at 6.7 m/s2 of vibration acceleration has to be less than 4 hours. Therefore, education that maximum working hours should be less than 4 continuous hours is necessary for the operators of walking-type cultivators.

• Proceedings of the Acoustical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1994.06a
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• pp.644-649
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• 1994

Recent studies reveal that grip forces due to repeated mechanical vasocompressions are most significant for the genesis of vibration-induced which finger syndrome (VWF). Therefore, exerted grip force was regarded as a dependent variable in 2 experiments and the effects of noise and vibrations of different weighted acceleration levels were studied. Neither grip forces nor peripheral blood flow as indicated by finger skin temperature were influenced by noise or vibrations. the cause of VWF is therefore presumed to be a concomitant variable which correlates with weighted accelerations and with grip forces as well. A possible factor is the weight of hand-held vibrating tools.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1996

This study was conducted at an automobile assembly line located in Kyonggi-do, Korea from January 16 to February 28, 1995. The purposes of this study were to assess worker exposures to hand-arm vibration and the performance of gloves for reduction of vibration. The exposure to vibration was measured using to the ISO 5349(1986) method. Vibration acceleration and frequency spectra for each tool were determined on-line replicating actual working conditions and analyzed together with exposure time for evaluating individual worker exposure. Eight pneumatic hand tools, 60 workers exposured to hand-arm vibration, and three pairs of gloves were involved in this study. Results are summarized as follows. 1. Dominant frequencies of vibration for all tools(n=8) measured in this study ranged from 250 Hz to 800 Hz. 2. There was no significant correleration between dominant frequencies and free running speed (p>0.05). 3. Total predicted exposure times of using impact, hammer type did not exceed 40 minutes, but metal finish task, using grinder and sander exceeded 40 minutes. Total exposure time affected significantly the frequency-weighted, 4 hr equivalent acceleration. 4. Predicted prevalence and observed exposure period data were compared in workers(n=60), according to ISO 5349. In this results, 23(50.0 %) and 24(48.07 %) persons exceeded the mean latency periods for vibration-induced white finger(VWF) at 10 % (n=46) and 50 % (n=52) standards, respectively. On the basis of ISO equation, mean latent periods for VWF were 3.23, 4.72 years at 10 %, 50 % standards, respectively. 5. Reduction of vibration by gloves was evaluated. Since impact pneumatic tools produced low frequency vibrations, conventional gloves did not provide any protection. Gloves A and C amplify somewhat the signal at frequency below 400 Hz; the attenuation increases progressively by frequency to reach 18 dB ($7.94{\times}10^{-6}m/s^2$) at 1,000 Hz, slightly worsening Glove B did not provide any protection and made the situation slightly worse. However, since they make the hands warm, the occurrence of vibration-induced white fingers may be reduced.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.52-65
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• 1999

This study was performed to evaluate the hand-arm vibration of the steel processing factory workers. Measurement, evaluation and as sessment were based on the International Standard(ISO 5349). The frequency weighted accelerations of the various hand-held tools and total exposure time were measured to assess the periods for the white finger symptom to occur. As a result, it was found that the air angle grinder and the air baby grinder are more harmful than other hand-held tools. It was also found that using various vibratory tools together is more harmful than using a single tool.