Inter-individual postural variability in seated drivers exposed to whole-body vibration
- 30 September 2014
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Ergonomics
- Vol. 58 (7), 1162-1174
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2014.968633
Abstract
Long-term occupational exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) is a cause of low back pain for seated drivers. Poor and long-term seated postures are considered as a cofactor in the risk. It depends on the vehicle's ergonomics and tasks. Differences in posture may also be observed between operators doing identical tasks. An experiment has been performed in order to simultaneously measure posture and WBV for 12 drivers in 3 vehicles (loader, dumper and excavator) during controlled tasks. The inter-individual postural variability has been evaluated. The positions and movements of the body were measured with the CUELA system (computer-assisted recording and long-term analysis of musculoskeletal loads). Significant differences were observed between the three vehicles in the WBV, positions and movements of the body. Significant postural differences were observed between drivers (EN 1005-4 2005). Individual strategies for performing a task were also identified. Practitioner Summary: Posture is considered as a cofactor in the risk of low back pain for seated drivers exposed to whole-body vibration. Combined measurements revealed significant postural differences between drivers doing identical tasks. Depending on individual driving strategies, driver's body segments could be significantly deviated from neutral body postures (EN 1005-4 2005).This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Two way assessment of other physical work demands while measuring the whole body vibration magnitudeJournal of Sound and Vibration, 2008
- Simultaneous field measuring method of vibration and body posture for assessment of seated occupational driving tasksInternational Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2008
- Predictions of health risks associated with the operation of load-haul-dump mining vehicles: Part 2—Evaluation of operator driving postures and associated postural loadingInternational Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2007
- An epidemiological study of low back pain in professional driversJournal of Sound and Vibration, 2006
- Whole-body vibration and postural stress among operators of construction equipment: A literature reviewJournal of Safety Research, 2004
- A REVIEW OF THE BIOMECHANICS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY OF WORKING POSTURES (IT ISN'T ALWAYS VIBRATION WHICH IS TO BLAME!)Journal of Sound and Vibration, 1998
- Epidemiological and aetiological aspects of low back pain in vibration environments—an updateClinical Biomechanics, 1996
- RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disordersApplied Ergonomics, 1993
- The apparent mass of the seated human body: Vertical vibrationJournal of Biomechanics, 1989
- Trunk Posture and Back Pain: Identification and Control of Occupational Risk FactorsApplied Industrial Hygiene, 1988