Journal article
Whole-Body Vibration and Trunk Posture During Operation of Agricultural Machinery
Annals of work exposures and health, Vol.62(9), pp.1123-1133
11/12/2018
DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxy076
PMCID: PMC8328096
PMID: 30239568
Abstract
Abstract Exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) is common among agricultural workers and is associated with musculoskeletal health outcomes such as low back pain. Little is known, however, about the characteristics of exposure experienced during actual production practices. We measured WBV levels during agricultural machinery use among a sample of farmers (n = 55) performing routine agricultural activities and explored machinery attributes that may explain WBV summary measures. We also measured trunk posture to provide additional information about physical exposures during machinery operation. Measurements were made on-farm and during actual work conditions of a sample of agricultural machines (n = 112), including tractors, combines, heavy utility vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Results indicated the presence of high levels of vibration (median frequency-weighted root-mean-square acceleration of approximately 0.8 m s−2) with time signatures that include high-amplitude mechanical shocks (median crest factor of nearly 23). Compared to other machinery types, combines exhibited the lowest WBV levels and among the most favorable trunk postures. Substantial variability was observed in both the WBV and trunk posture summary measures, suggesting for future studies that alternative sampling strategies are needed to fully capture temporal patterns of machinery use.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Whole-Body Vibration and Trunk Posture During Operation of Agricultural Machinery
- Creators
- Nathan B Fethke - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Suite Iowa City, IA, USAMark C Schall - Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Auburn University, Shelby Center Auburn, AL, USALinda A Merlino - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Suite Iowa City, IA, USAHoward Chen - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Wiggins Hall Auburn, AL, USACassidy A Branch - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Suite Iowa City, IA, USAMaya Ramaswamy - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Suite Iowa City, IA, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Annals of work exposures and health, Vol.62(9), pp.1123-1133
- DOI
- 10.1093/annweh/wxy076
- PMID
- 30239568
- PMCID
- PMC8328096
- NLM abbreviation
- Ann Work Expo Health
- ISSN
- 2398-7308
- eISSN
- 2398-7316
- Grant note
- name: Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, award: U54OH007548; DOI: 10.13039/100000030, name: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; DOI: 10.13039/100000125, name: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; name: Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety, award: T42OH008491; name: Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, award: T42OH008436
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/12/2018
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health; Industrial and Systems Engineering; Center for Social Science Innovation; Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984214958402771
Metrics
8 Record Views