Hand Arm and Whole Body vibrations exposure- directive and standard

Transcription

1 Occupational Health & Safety NETworking in EASTern Europe Hand Arm and Whole Body vibrations exposure- directive and standard OSHNET SCHOOL Izmir, 2011 May 13 th Riccardo Fusi

2 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII PHYSICAL AGENTS HEADING III - mechanical vibration The title lays down minimum requirements for the protection of health and safety of workers who are exposed or may be exposed to risks from mechanical vibration Based on Directive 2002/44/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration) 2

3 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII - HEADING III: mechanical vibration It introduces some definitions: Hand-arm vibration: the mechanical vibration that, when transmitted to the human hand-arm system, entails risks to the health and safety of workers, in particular vascular, bone or joint, neurological or muscular disorders. Whole-body vibration: the mechanical vibration that, when transmitted to the whole body, entails risks to the health and safety of workers, in particular lower-back morbidity and trauma of the spine. 3

4 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII - HEADING III: mechanical vibration A. Hand-arm vibration. The assessment of the level of exposure to hand-arm vibration is based on the calculation of the daily exposure value normalised to an eight-hour reference period A(8), expressed as the square root of the sum of the squares (rms) (total value) of the frequency-weighted acceleration values, determined on the orthogonal axes (ahwx, ahwy, ahwz) as defined in ISO (2001). A(8)=( ia hvi2 T i /480) 0.5 ISO /2001 4

5 mechanical vibration: HAV 5

6 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII - HEADING III: mechanical vibration B Whole body vibration. The assessment of the level of exposure to vibration is based on the calculation of daily exposure A(8) expressed as equivalent continuous acceleration over an eight-hour period, calculated as the highest value of the frequency-weighted accelerations, determined on three orthogonal axes (1,4awx, 1,4awy, awz for a seated or standing worker), in accordance with ISO (1997). A(8)=( iaw, 2 Ti/480) 0.5 (ISO B1) 6

7 mechanical vibration: WBV 7

8 mechanical vibration 8 Frequency is the number of times per second the vibrating body moves back and forth. It is expressed as a value in cycles per second (hertz) the risk of damage is not equal at all frequencies, so a frequencyweighting is used to represent the damage from the different frequencies. for HAV, the important frequencies are in the range from about 8 Hz to 1000 Hz and only one frequency-weighting curve is used for all three axes; for WBV, the important frequencies are in the range from about 0,5 Hz to 80 Hz and two frequency-weighting curve are used for three axes (one for lateral axes and one for vertical) for WBV an additional multiplying factor must be applied (1.4. for the lateral, 1.0 for the vertical)

9 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII - HEADING III: mechanical vibration Exposure limit values and action values for hand-arm vibration The daily exposure limit value A(8)= 5 m/s 2 The daily exposure action value A(8)= 2,5 m/s 2 9

10 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII - HEADING III: mechanical vibration Exposure limit values and action values for whole-body vibration The daily exposure limit value (1) The daily exposure action value A(8)= 1,0 m/s 2 A(8)= 0,5 m/s 2 (1) The value for daily exposure fixed by EU Directive 2002/44 was 1,15 m/s 2 10

11 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII - HEADING III: mechanical vibration the employer shall assess and, if necessary, measure the levels of mechanical vibration to which workers are exposed, considering: the level, type and duration of exposure; the exposure limit values and the exposure action values; any effects concerning the health and safety of workers at particularly sensitive risk (for example pregnant women and children); any indirect effects on worker safety resulting from interactions between mechanical vibration and the workplace or other work equipment; 11

12 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII - HEADING III: mechanical vibration the employer shall assess and, if necessary, measure the levels of mechanical vibration to which workers are exposed, considering: information provided by the manufacturers of work equipment; the existence of replacement equipment designed to reduce the levels of exposure to mechanical vibration; specific working conditions such as low temperatures, wet places, high humidity); biomechanical overload of the upper limbs and spine. 12

13 Legislative Decree 2008, April 9 th n. 81 TITLE VIII - HEADING III: mechanical vibration Assessment can be made without measurements 13 assessment can be made using measures already carried out by authorized agencies and reported on specific databases or using data provided by the manufacturers of the equipment; in order to use these data it is necessary that the equipment is in good repair and operating conditions comparable to those of the ones measured; in any case, the data can not be used directly, but it is necessary to use correction factors (multiplier coefficient); if manufacturers declare emission values less than 2.5m/s², a value of 2.5m/s² should be used and multiplied by the appropriate factor. it is necessary to verify the presence of factors that may increase the risk.

14 Factors increasing the risks Other factors can separately cause back pain. If a worker is exposed to one or more of these factors while being exposed to vibration, the risk will be increased. 14 being exposed to vibration for long periods without changing position; being exposed to vibration sitting in a stretched or twisted posture (e.g. looking over our shoulder); being exposed to vibration and then doing work involving manually lifting heavy loads environmental factors, such as temperature, working conditions, humidity may increase the risk

15 Measurements To make the measures is necessary to use an instrument with the following features: the apparatus used must be adapted to the particular characteristics of the vibration to be measured and to the ambient factors; HAV: compliant to EN ISO :2004 and EN ISO : 2004 WBV: compliant to ISO :2008 biennial calibration at EA laboratories (European Accreditation Centre); instrumentation calibrated before and after the measurements with a calibrator compliant to EN ISO 8041:

16 Measurements It is important that instruments (accelerometers) are carefully selected: the vibration on handheld and hand-guided machines can be very high and can easily overload unsuitable transducers. fixing transducers to the machine handles requires mounting systems that are rigid, lightweight and compact. transducers cannot create vibration 16

17 Measurements 17

18 Measurements When measurement is employed: the methods used may include sampling, which must be representative of the personal exposure of a worker; measurements should be made to produce vibration values representative of the average vibration for a tool or process throughout the operator s working period. it is really important to recreate the usual working conditions in the case of devices which need to be held with both hands, measurements must be made on each hand. The exposure is determined by reference to the higher value of the two; information for the other hand shall also be given; 18

19 Hand-arm vibration measurement VIE EN.RO.SE. equipment 1 notes X axis Y axis frequency-weighted a hwx (m/s 2 ) 3,72 [m/s 2 ] frequency-weighted a hwy (m/s 2 ) 3,61 [m/s 2 ] Z axis frequency-weighted a hwz (m/s 2 ) 3,54 [m/s 2 ] ISO /2001 (1) vectorial sum a hv 6,28 [m/s 2 ] equipment 2 notes average time of use frequency-weighted a hwx 2 minute/day X axis (m/s 2 ) 5,10 [m/s 2 ] Y axis frequency-weighted a hwy (m/s 2 ) 4,72 [m/s 2 ] Z axis frequency-weighted a hwz (m/s 2 ) 3,32 [m/s 2 ] ISO /2001 (1) vectorial sum a hv 7,70 [m/s 2 ] equipment 3 notes average time of use 2 minute/day X axis Y axis frequency-weighted a hwx (m/s 2 ) 3,24 [m/s 2 ] frequency-weighted a hwy (m/s 2 ) 1,31 [m/s 2 ] Z axis frequency-weighted a hwz (m/s 2 ) 0,89 [m/s 2 ] ISO /2001 (1) vectorial sum a hv 3,61 [m/s 2 ] 19 average time of use 10 minute/day A 8 = ( x x x 10) 0.5 = 0.83 m/s²

20 Whole body vibration measurement VIE EN.RO.SE. machinery 1 note X axis frequency-weighted a wd (m/s 2 ) 0,25 [m/s 2 ] Y axis frequency-weighted a wd (m/s 2 ) 0,22 [m/s 2 ] Z axis frequency-weighted a wk (m/s 2 ) 0,28 [m/s 2 ] maximum a w 0,35 [m/s 2 ] average time of use 90,00 minute/day machinery 2 note X axis frequency-weighted a wd (m/s 2 ) 0,23 [m/s 2 ] Y axis frequency-weighted a wd (m/s 2 ) 0,35 [m/s 2 ] Z axis frequency-weighted a wk (m/s 2 ) 0,46 [m/s 2 ] maximum a w 0,48 [m/s 2 ] average time of use 150,00 minute/day machinery 3 note X axis frequency-weighted a wd (m/s 2 ) 0,47 [m/s 2 ] Y axis frequency-weighted a wd (m/s 2 ) 0,46 [m/s 2 ] Z axis frequency-weighted a wk (m/s 2 ) 0,77 [m/s 2 ] maximum a w 0,77 [m/s 2 ] average time of use 120,00 minute/day 20 A 8 = ( x x x 120) 0.5 = 0.49 m/s²

21 Calculation of personal exposure: procedure measurement of the level of vibration emitted by each equipment used by workers; measured values must be processed to obtain personal exposure levels of all employees of the company; results are reported in the form of personal cards. 21

22 Calculation of personal exposure: procedure personal cards contain used equipment, their usage time and the measured vibration level; in case of different working days, multiple cards should be developed, one for each different day. 22

23 Measurements we need to know the daily duration of exposure to the vibration from the vehicles or machines used. vibration magnitude data is based on measurements when the machine is working: count only the time that the worker is exposed to vibration, don t consider the periods without vibration exposure (ex. waiting times to load a truck, handing a tool without using it) observe work during a part of the working day and record how much of the time the tool/ machinery is operating. 23

24 Uncertainty of daily exposure evaluations Factors of uncertainty (EN ISO :2001 Part-2, EN 14253:2003) instrument / calibration uncertainty; variation of machine operators; ability of the worker to reproduce typical work environmental factors; variations in the machine; accuracy of source data 24

25 Reducing exposure when action values are exceeded, the employer shall implement a program of technical and organizational measures designed to minimize exposure, considering: other working methods that require less exposure to mechanical vibration; the choice of appropriate work equipment producing the least possible vibration; the provision of auxiliary equipment that reduces the risk of injuries caused by vibration, such as seats that effectively reduce whole-body vibration, handles or gloves which reduce the vibration transmitted to the hand-arm system; appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, the workplace and workplace systems; 25

26 Reducing exposure when action values are exceeded, the employer shall implement a program of technical and organizational measures designed to minimize exposure, considering: adequate information and training to instruct workers to use work equipment correctly and safely; limitation of the duration and intensity of the exposure; organization of appropriate work schedules; the provision of clothing to protect exposed workers from cold and damp. 26

27 comparison with limit values If the exposure limit value is exceeded, the employer shall take immediate action to reduce exposure below the exposure limit value. He shall identify the reasons why the exposure limit value has been exceeded, and shall amend the protection and prevention measures accordingly in order to prevent it being exceeded again. 27

28 Worker information and training workers who are exposed to the risks from mechanical vibration at work must receive information and training relating to the outcome of the risk assessment, concerning in particular: the measures taken in order to eliminate or reduce to a minimum the risks from mechanical vibration; the exposure limit values and the exposure action values; the results of the assessment and measurement of the mechanical vibration and the potential injury arising from the work equipment in use; why and how to detect and report signs of injury; the circumstances in which workers are entitled to health surveillance; safe working practices to minimise exposure to mechanical vibration. 28

29 Risk assessment report The technical report of exposure assessment to mechanical vibration of workers should include: general premise (data and business description, equipment used, etc.); list of equipment, personnel, duties; brand and model of equipment subject to measure, working conditions; presence of special conditions (noise, humidity, etc.); instruments used for measurements; presence or absence of specific working conditions assessment of respect of exposure values; general conclusions with indication of possible measures for risk reduction. 29

30 Risk assessment report risk assessment and/or measurement must be up date at regular basis, by trained personnel within the SPP; risk assessment must be immediatly updated when changes, that could render it out, or when the results of health surveillance will show the need. 30

31 Thanks for your attention for any clarification, food for thought, notes: 31