Occupational vibration syndrome

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Occupational vibration syndrome

• Department of Occupational Medicine
• Finnish Institute of Occupational Health

Markku Sainio Markku Vanhanen
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Definitions

• Occupational vibration
• Vibration white finger (VWF)
• Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
• Raynaud's phenomenon (VWF most common cause of
  secondary Raynaud)
• Whole-body vibration (WBV)

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Vibration

• Periodic motion of a body in alternate opposite
  directions from a position of rest
• Mathematical "vector quantity" described by both
  a direction and a magnitude
• directions of vibration
• acceleration
• Present in most work settings where mechanical
  equipment is used

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Measurements and standards

• ACGIH TLVs 1984
• ISO 5349 (1986)
• Directive 2002/44/EC
• .. on the minimum health and safety requirements
  regarding the exposure of workers to the risks
  arising from physical agents (vibration)...

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HAVS as occupational disease in Finland 1990-2001

• - Clear decline from the 70s along with the
  modernisation of forest industry and the decrease
  of chain saw use
• - About 20 new cases/year
• - New tools with high impact vibration --gt HAVS
  development after shorter exposure
• lt-gt undiagnosed cases???

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Impact drills
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Grinding tools
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Bolt wrenchers
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Screening of HAVS

• Target of primary screening are the symptoms
  which are related to the exposure
• Blue book
• Investigations at general health care hospitals,
  regional and central Finnish Institute of
  Occupational Health
• Register of occupational diseases