An Exploratory Study Comparing the Hand Arm Vibration Exposures Measured from Bucking Bars using Traditional Tool-mounted Accelerometers and Wrist Worn IMUs. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaklit, Wadih; Reinhall, Per; Anderson, Livia; Sarnowicz, Szymon; Quigley, Cassidy; Ryou, Hyoung Frank; Gardner, Richard; HansonSmith, Riley; Johnson, Peter W.
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ... Annual Meeting. Volume 63:Part 1(2019)
• Page Start: 1048
• Page End: 1051
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Human engineering -- Congresses; 620.8205
• DOI: 10.1177/1071181319631402
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1541-9312

Abstract

This controlled, exploratory laboratory study was conducted to measure hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposures when using a bucking bar fitted with three different handles: 1) a typical plastic handle, 2) a similarly designed handle with an aluminum core and a built-in dampening spring, and 3) a steel core handle with the same built-in spring. Using two experienced machinists, tri-axial HAV exposures were measured at the bucking bar handles; small, battery-powered, self-contained Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) were used to measure the vibration transmitted through the tool operator's left and right arms; and a wearable device worn on the operator's right wrist estimated the HAV exposures occurring at the tool handle. The plastic handle produced the highest HAV exposures while the aluminum-spring and steel spring handles reduced exposures by 19% and 39%, respectively. On average, 74%, 65% and 40% of the tool-measured vibration was transmitted to the right hand, forearm and upper arm, respectively. The wrist mounted sensor appeared to accurately estimate HAV exposures measured at the hand-tool interface.