Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement)

Clinical studies of the vibration syndrome using a cold stress test measuring finger temperature

Gautherie M.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S5-S10

Since nine years multicentre, transversal and longitudinal clinical studies on hand-arm, vibration-exposed patients are being performed in cooperation with French occupational medicine centers and social security institutions. These studies are based upon current clinical assessment and standardized, temperature-measuring cooling tests. Data acquisition uses a portable, 10-channel, micro-processor-based temperature recorder and miniature thermal sensors. Temperature is monitored at the ten finger tips continuously, before, during and after a cold stress performed in strictly controlled conditions. Data from examinations performed at outlying sites...

Vibration syndrome and autonomic nervous system

Sakakibara H., Yamada S.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S11-S14

It is well known that hand-arm vibration affects the hand and arm which are directly exposed to vibration. However, through the sympathetic nervous system, hand-arm vibration can affect the foot which is not directly exposed to vibration. Hand-arm vibration activates the sympathetic nervous system, and induces vasoconstriction in the four extremities. And patients with vibration syndrome have circulatory disturbances of the foot as well; some patients had Raynaud's phenomenon of both fingers and toes, those with VWF were likely to complain of coldness in the feet as well as the hands, and had low skin temperature of the fingers and toes. In addition,...

Vascular responses to acute vibration in the fingers of normal subjects

Bovenzi M., Griffin M.J., Ruffell C.M.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S15-S18

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the acute effects of unilateral vibration on the digital circulation of healthy men. In the fingers of both hands of eight male subjects (age 23-47 years) who had never worked with vibrating tools, finger blood flow (FBF) and finger skin temperature (FST) in thermoneutral conditions, and the percentage change of finger systolic pressure (FSP %) after local cooling from 30 to 10 degrees C were measured. The right hand was exposed for 30 min to sinusoidal vibration with a frequency of 125 Hz and an acceleration of 87.5 m.s.-2r.m.s. A control condition...

Experience on the reversibility of the vibration-induced white finger disease

Dupuis H., Riedel S.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S19-S21

In connection with medical appraisements of the occupational disease No. 2104 "Vibration-induced vasospastic disease" 240 patients could be examined a first time, 94 of them a second time, 42 patients a third time and 11 patients a forth time. The interval between examinations was 2, 4 or 6 years respectively. The standard procedure besides clinical whole body examination included anamnestic questionnaire, cold-provocation test with infrared thermography and vibrotactile perception test. The evaluation of the diagnoses in principle followed the Stockholm vascular V and sensorineural SN stages and was used to establish the grade of disability for compensation....

Age-related evaluation of peripheral circulation of workers with vibration exposure

Miyashita K., Morioka I., Luo W.Z., Gowa Y., Takeda S., Kasamatsu T., Hashimoto T.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S22-S26

This study was designed to clarify the age variation of the indices in the accelerated plethysmography (APG) for fingers and set the standard ageing curve. The indices of APG of workers with exposure to vibration were compared with those of the standard ageing curves. The subjects were 815 male workers, ranging in age from 18 to 66, without exposure to vibration and without history of hypertension, circulatory diseases or diabetes. Their indices of APG are used establishing the standard ageing curves. The workers occupationally exposed to hand-arm vibration were also the subjects to evaluate peripheral circulation of hand. The APG was measured on the...

Involvement of endothelin in peripheral circulatory change induced by hand-arm vibration

Nakamura H., Ariizumi M., Okazawa T., Nagase H., Yoshida M., Okada A.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S27-S30

Physiologic mechanisms involving local vasoregulating factor, endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and endothelium-derived constricting factors (EDCF) have been postulated to play a role in VWF. Recent evidence that endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide indicates that it may play a role in vasoregulation during vibration exposure through the local actions of EDRF or EDCF. Therefore, we examined the effects of grasping (50 N) and hand-arm vibration with an unweighted acceleration of 50 m/s2 rms at a frequency of 120 Hz in the direction of X-axis on digital blood flow (DBF) and on the level of plasma endothelin in 7 healthy male office...

Application of Stockholm criteria to patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome in a follow-up study

Ishitake T., Kihara T., Matoba T.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S31-S33

We applied Stockholm criterion to patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) for assessing the therapeutic effects in comparison with the criterion of the Ministry of Labour in Japan (MLJ). Forty male patients recognized as an occupational disease were examined in two times (mean interval periods 3.0 years). The subjects were free from vibratory tasks during the mean period of 8.3 years. The clinical examinations and some laboratory tests were conducted with the same procedures by the two same occupational physicians. The criterion of MLJ was graded more severe than Stockholm one for the vascular component at the first examination. According...

Re-evaluation of capillaroscopy of finger nailfold in vibration-exposed workers

Kaji H., Bossnev W., Honma H., Yasuno Y., Kobayashi T., Saito K., Fujino A.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S34-S36

Two hundred and ninety-four vibration-exposed workers were examined for vibration disease (VD) for the worker's accident compensation. Most subjects were male. Their ages ranged from 24 to 68 years. Duration of vibration exposure ranged from 3 to 30 years. After acclimatization at 25 degrees C to 27 degrees C for at least an hour, the nailfold capillaries of the ring (or middle) finger were studied with a light microscope. A cold water immersion test (5 degrees C, 10 min) was then performed. The morphological findings of the nailfold capillaries were classified based on the criteria by Fagrell & Lundberg. A hundred and eighty subjects were diagnosed...

A new criterion proposed for the diagnosis of hand-arm vibration syndrome

Matoba T., Ishitake T., Kihara T.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S37-S39

To propose a new criterion for the diagnosis of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), we evaluated the severity of the patients in comparison with the criterion of the Ministry of Labour in Japan (MLJ) and the Stockholm criterion. The characteristics of the Stockholm criterion was to classify severe cases with vascular disorders, because of evaluation due to the frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon alone. The Stockholm criterion diagnosed the HAVS separately in vascular and sensorineural disorders. The MLJ criterion was able to subdivide light stages. In vascular disorders, the MLJ criterion made serious consideration about cold sensation which appeared...

High level of plasma thrombomodulin (TM) concentration and correlation with endothelin (ET)-1 in vibration-exposed patients

Toibana N., Kanazuka M., Shigekiyo T.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S40-S42

We measured plasma level of TM and ET-1 in vibration exposed patients. The results showed the plasma level of TM in vibration exposed patients was significantly higher than in normal controls. The present findings showed relatively wide damage of endothelial cells in the vascular bed of vibration-exposed patients. On the other hand, the mean level of ET-1 in these patients tended to be higher than in normal controls, though there was no difference. Further studies are necessary about the mechanism of endothelial damage in vibration syndrome patients and its contribution to peripheral circulatory disturbance of vibration syndrome including the role of ET-1.

The serum level of endothelin in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome

Kohout J., Topolcan O., Bejcková H.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S43-S44

The authors discuss the relationship of serum concentrations of endothelin in patients with vascular disease due to vibration and the severity of the disease; the highest concentrations were found in the most advanced forms of disease. Combination of the vascular disease due to vibration with complicating cardiovascular diseases is also discussed. The authors prepared methodical norms for the elaboration and evaluation of the results of serum concentrations of endothelin. These norms are useful for comparing studies in various regions and for international cooperation. The paper presents preliminary results so far of small group of patients. The examination...

Finger systolic blood pressures: effects of cold provocation on the reference finger

Lindsell C.J., Griffin M.J.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S45-S48

Finger systolic blood pressure measured after cold provocation and ischemia of a digit is used to assist in the diagnosis of vibration-induced white finger, VWF. A reduction in finger systolic blood pressure after cooling is assumed to indicate vascular dysfunction. The percentage pressure change observed in the tested finger is often corrected for whole body effects (systemic systolic pressure changes) according to the pressure change measured in a reference finger. The commonly used method of correction is based on assumptions as to the causes of any changes occurring in the reference finger. It is assumed that the reference finger is not differentially...

The use of PSSD testing in comparison to vibrotactile testing of vibration exposed workers

Jetzer T., Dellon L.A., Mitterhauser M.D.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S49-S51

With the acceptance of the Stockholm scale for the neurological effects of Hand-Arm. Vibration Syndrome, there has been increasing interest in selection of the appropriate screening and diagnostic procedures for worker evaluation. With the increased attention to worker surveillance to decrease morbidity, workers compensation and legal liability, a system that provides early detection as well as diagnostic specificity would be desirable. Up to now, most screening tests have suffered from lack of specificity or are time consuming in administration. Most diagnostic tests are too expensive or impractical to use on a screening basis. The Pressure Sensitive...

Digital nerve conduction velocity for evaluation of peripheral nerve impairments in vibration syndrome

Sakakibara H., Hirata M., Hashiguchi T., Toibana N., Koshiyama H., Zhu S.K., Yamada S.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S52-S53

In order to evaluate peripheral nerve impairments in vibration syndrome, sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) in the digital segment of the median nerve was measured by applying electrical stimulation to the wrist and recording from two pairs of electrodes attached to the middle finger. Fractionated SCVs were also measured in the palm-to-finger, wrist-to-palm, and elbow-to-wrist segments of the median nerve. Subjects were 65 patients with vibration syndrome and 48 healthy controls of similar age. SCVs in the digital nerve segment were significantly slower in the patients than in the controls. Significant slowing was also found in the wrist-to-palm...

Response to psychological stressors in hand-arm vibration syndrome patients

Harada N., Iwamoto M., Hirosawa I., Nakamoto M., Sobhan F., Morie T., Kosiyama Y.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S54-S56

We investigated urinary catecholamines' response to acute psychological stress test in hand-arm vibration syndrome patients. Thirteen patients with vibration-induced white finger (VWF) in higher frequency of attack, 7 patients with VWF in lower frequency, 6 patients without VWF and 17 healthy subjects were examined. All subjects were male and their average age (SD) was 59.2 (6.4), 56.3 (2.9), 58.2 (4.7) and 56.8 (4.9), respectively. After an initial rest for 1 hour, acute psychological stress test with stressors - mirror drawing, watching horror video and arithmetic under intermittent noise was performed for 1 hour. Subjective complaints to the stress...

The growth and recovery of vibrotactile TTs caused by hand-transmitted repetitive shocks of various waveforms

Maeda S., Griffin M.J.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S57-S61

The effect of shock repetition rate on the temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) in vibrotactile perception at the fingers has been studied with shocks having exponential decays and hanning waveforms. The repetition rate of shocks delivered at the hand varied from 2 shocks per second up to 64 shocks per second. Subjects were exposed to vertical hand-transmitted repetitive shock vibration of equal energy contents. The magnitudes of the stimuli were adjusted to 2.8 ms-2 r.m.s. so that they were all equally severe according to current standards for assessing the severity of hand-transmitted vibration (e.g. International Standard 5349, 1986). It was found...

Vibrotactile perception sensitivity and its relation to hand-arm vibration exposure

Lundström R., Nilsson T., Burström L., Hagberg M.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S62-S65

Vibrotactile perception thresholds (VPT) at seven test frequencies (8-500 Hz) have been measured and evaluated among 170 male employees at a heavy engineering production workshop, 125 of them were at present, or in the past, exposed to hand-arm vibration. All participants were examined by a physician and none had symptoms of diseases or were exposed to other factors known to cause sensory neuropathies. VPTs [for the three lowest (8-32 Hz; non-Pacinian), for the four highest (63-500 Hz; Pacinian) and for all test frequencies together] and a sensitivity index (SI) has been individually graded in four (normal, slightly deteriorated, deteriorated and seriously...

Temperature and vibration perception thresholds in workers exposed to hand-arm vibration

Virokannas H., Virokannas A.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S66-S69

Exposure to hand-arm vibration causes damage in the peripheral nerves of the upper extremities, and a method for early detection of neuropathy induced by vibration is needed. The thin nerve fibres seem to be the most sensitive to vibration and may be damaged first. In the present study, vibration and thermal thresholds in workers exposed to hand-arm vibration were compared in a case-control study. Previously, both vibration perception and temperature sense have been impaired in workers exposed to hand-arm vibration. The study population consisted of 15 workers exposed to hand-arm vibration (mean age 37.1 yrs) and 15 controls matched for age (mean age...

Assessment of heat pain perception in relation to vibration exposure

Nilsson T., Lundström R., Burström L., Hagberg M.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S70-S72

The effect of vibration on thin unmyelinated sensory fibers was studied by perception threshold measurement of heat pain. The investigation was a cross-sectional study of 98 vibration-exposed and 53 non-vibration-exposed workers. Pain perception was determined by using the "Marstock" method. The perception threshold of contact heat induced pain was assessed by the method of limits. Quantified personal energy-equivalent vibration exposure was assessed for all subjects on a group basis. The cumulated lifetime equivalent frequency-weighted vibration exposure was estimated based on measurements according to ISO 5349. The mean heat perception threshold...

Investigations of the suitability of pallesthesiometry in the diagnostics of functional disturbances of the peripheral nervous system

Schenk T.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S73-S77

This contribution presents the results of fundamental investigations of the suitability of measurements of vibration sensitivity threshold (pallesthesiometry) as a method for the assessment of vibration-induced nerve impairments. Sinusoidal vibration stimuli are applied at the fingertips of the subjects in this method. The sensitivity threshold of the subjects is determined similar like the hearing threshold in audiometry and is used as a measure for possibly existing nerve disorders. Laboratory and field experiments were carried out by means of a simple to serve and inexpensive pallesthesiometer. The test results proved the suitability of the pallesthesiometry...

Nerve conduction velocities in the lower extremities among patients with vibration syndrome

Hirata M., Sakakibara H., Yamada S., Hashiguchi T., Toibana N., Koshiyama H.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S78-S80

In order to clarify the effect of vibration syndrome (VS) on the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in the lower extremities, 59 patients with VS (age 58.5 +/- 5.1 years) and 49 age-matched controls (age 57.0 +/- 5.1 years) were examined for sensory nerve conduction velocities (SCV) in the sural nerve (SSCV) and the medial plantar nerve (PSCV) in the summer of 1993 and 1994. They had not been suffering from diseases and injuries which might have affected the SCV in the lower extremities. These patients were divided into two subgroups, one with past vibration exposure to chainsaw (N = 22) and the other with past vibration exposure to rock drills and other...

Effect of starting temperature on the repeatability of thermotactile thresholds

Ruffell C.M., Griffin M.J.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S81-S84

Hand-transmitted vibration has been observed to cause a wide variety of different signs and symptoms of neurological dysfunction. Different tests of tactile sensitivity, encompassing sensations of pressure, vibration, pain and temperature have been employed in the quantification of the sensorineural effects of vibration. However, since the results of such tests are dependent on different variables, and different versions of each test are used in different laboratories, the results are rarely reported in a manner allowing a direct comparison of results between studies. This paper reports on an investigation of the repeatability of thermotactile thresholds,...

The vibrotactile threshold (VT) at the fingertips of chain saw operators

Ahrend K.D., Hartung E., Dupuis H.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S85-S87

The vibration sensitivity of the skin at the ten fingertips was tested with 72 chain saw operators examined due to VWF-disease and compared with controls. The vibrotactile perception threshold (frequency f = 125 Hz, load p = 1.3 N) proved to be 3 to 5 times as high for the exposed group compared to controls. There was no correlation between vibration sensitivity and peripheral circulation found in cold provocation test. Two different testing instruments (pallaesthesiometer = vibrotactometer) showed significant differences in results probably due to different technical details of the methods. It may be concluded that a standardization of the instrumentation...

Effect of impulse vibration and noise on vasomotor function of peripheral blood vessels among pneumatic forge hammer operators

Solecki L.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S88-S89

An evaluation of the effect of impulse vibration and noise on vasomotor function of blood vessels among pneumatic forge hammer operators has been presented based on thermal tests (cooling). The study covered the following groups of workers; pneumatic forge hammer operators (I), pneumatic forging hammer operators (II), hammer operator's assistants (III), operators of forging presses and machines (IV) and the control group. The results of the study showed that in groups I and III it was impulse noise not vibration that caused changes in the functioning of peripheral blood vessels.

Hand-arm vibration in tropical rain forestry workers

Futatsuka M., Inaoka T., Ohtsuka R., Sakurai T., Moji K., Igarashi T.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S90-S92

Working conditions and health hazards including vibration syndrome related to forestry work using chain-saws were studied in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The subjects comprised 291 workers including 97 chain-saw operators. The health examination consisted of peripheral circulatory and sensory tests in the upper extremities. The vibration spectrum measured at the handle of the chain-saw indicated that these acceleration levels would lead to a moderately high risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). The peripheral circulatory function tests revealed dysfunction after more than five years vibration exposure. However, in general, the results of the...

Health status of the workers using mechanized hand tools in an electric parts' maker

Matsumoto T., Fukaya Y., Sakakibara H., Shibata E.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S93-S96

The aim was to clarify the relations between the health status of the workers operating mechanized hand tools (MT). MT included electric drivers and air drivers, and the working conditions in an electric parts' maker. Fifty-nine female workers underwent the special examination for vibration hazards, made up of 39 MT operators (Group A) and 20 controls (Group B) who worked without MT at the same plant. The authors made questions about their health and working conditions and physical examinations. The measured items of the peripheral nervous system were the vibratory sensation and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) in the hand and arm. Those of...

Operating vibrating tools and prevalence of subjective complaints in vibration syndrome

Mirbod S.M., Inaba R., Iwata H.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S97-S102

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the prevalence of subjective symptoms and signs related to vibration syndrome in various groups of subjects exposed to hand-arm vibration (HAV). In 9 groups of subjects occupationally exposed to HAV, one group of subjects previously exposed to HAV, one control group, and 2 groups of general population (males and females), the prevalence of finger blanching, numbness in the hands, stiffness in the hands, and pain in the hands were investigated. The age of subjects ranged from 25 to 59 years. In subjects exposed to HAV, hand-transmitted vibration levels (HTVLs) were measured by means of vibration dosimeters, and the...

Screening of vibration-induced disorders in the building industry using digital tactilometry. Results of a field study

Beaumont D., Noeuveglise M., Vibert M.L.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S103-S106

As occupational physicians in the building industry, we observed among these workers a high frequency of vibration exposure, during different tasks. We intended to study vibration exposure effects on vibration perception thresholds measured by digital tactilometry in this population of construction workers. A cross-sectional field study was made, 405 subjects were examined; each of them answered a questionnaire, underwent a medical examination and performed a test measuring his vibration perception thresholds, 150 subjects constituted the reference group. A close relationship between age and thresholds among the non-exposed group was observed. A threshold...

Results of independent medical interview and examination in the diagnosis and assessment of hand-arm vibration syndrome

McGeoch K.L., Welsh C.L.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S107-S108

In the UK the use of the Stockholm Classification has been recommended by the Health and Safety Executive and by the Working Party of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine. The Stockholm Workshop 1994 did not recommend any changes to the existing classification but considered the variety of screening and diagnostic tests suitable for the staging of HAVS. Thirty one males claiming to be suffering from HAVS were interviewed and examined by each of the authors independently. The examination of each patient included detailed occupational and medical histories, standard physical examination with the additional tests of the rewarm time and aesthesiometry....

Vibration syndrome in railway track maintenance workers

Virokannas H., Anttonen H., Niskanen J.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S109-S112

An inquiry was sent to all railway maintenance workers in three railway districts in Finland and hand-arm vibration was measured on the handlebars of tools used by maintenance workers. The study group included 252 (82%) subjects, whose mean age was 41 years and who had worked in track maintenance for 14 years (SD 9). In Finland there are over 600 railway maintenance workers who use vibrating tools. The frequency-weighted acceleration of hand-arm vibration was calculated according to the ISO 5349 standard. Hand-held tamping machines had caused most of the vibration exposure, and aw4h was 10.6 m/s2 measured on the handlebar of tamping machine, but many...

Statistical analysis of vibration-induced bone and joint damages

Schenk T.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S113-S117

Vibration-induced damages to bones and joints are still occupational diseases with insufficient knowledge about causing and moderating factors and resulting damages. For a better understanding of these relationships also retrospective analyses of already acknowledged occupational diseases may be used. Already recorded detailed data for 203 in 1970 to 1979 acknowledged occupational diseases in the building industry and the building material industry of the GDR are the basis for the here described investigations. The data were gathered from the original documents of the occupational diseases and scaled in cooperation of an industrial engineer and an...

Low intensity vibration exposure in postmen

Tominaga Y.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S118-S119

The complaints of white fingers in postmen who had used motorbikes and had been exposed to low intensity vibration were studied. Their vibration exposure was found to be 1-3 m/s2 per day, four hour equivalent value of frequency weighted acceleration. The rate of white fingers among all subjects was 2.8%. The rate was related not only to vibration/cold exposure but also to age and delivery area locations. The major part of the white finger occurrence reported here was considered to be due to primary Raynaud's syndrome, and it seems safe to conclude that, a daily vibration exposure of up to 2.5-3 m/s2 (4 h equivalent value) has not caused white fingers...

Bone mineralization changes in saw operators

Fialová J., Rosenfeld R., Kvapilová I., Nakládalová M.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S120-S122

In vibration disease the impact on bone and joint systems is considered to be the least frequent one. It includes a degenerative component, rare necrotic alteration and osteoporosis, together with cystic alterations, in the carpal bones. The authors concentrated only on osteoporosis in the proximal parts of upper extremities. They evaluated by X-rays of the thorax the extent of mineralization and, consequently, the osteoporosis of the clavicles. For that purpose they used the corticodiaphyseal Barnett-Nordin index (BNI). In a group of 107 chain saw operators whose both upper extremities had been exposed to the impact of vibration exceeding the threshold...

Hand-arm vibration and terrain vehicles

Anttonen H., Virokannas H., Niskanen J.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S123-S125

Hand-arm vibration was measured on the handlebars of terrain vehicles (N = 36) and a postal inquiry was made among N = 2705 reindeer herders (snowmobile drivers). Since many subjects had also used other vibrating tools the snowmobile group proper (N = 334) was established. In the whole group 19% of the subjects reported having experienced white finger attacks and 48% numbness of the hands. The frequency-weighted acceleration of snowmobile vibration was 3.5 m/s2, and risk evaluation using the ISO 5349 standard predicted the prevalence of white finger well in the snowmobile group proper. The vibration levels were 1.6-7.9 m/s2 on snowmobiles, 5.5-11.8...

Determination of "vibration emission values" for fastener driving tools (nailers)

Kaulbars U.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S126-S128

Hand-held fastener driving tools (nailers, staplers, pinners) differ considerably from other vibrating tools in terms of mode of vibration. For satisfying the requirements of the Machinery Directive 89/392/EEC, including also the compulsory declaration of a characteristic vibration value, appropriate measuring methods had to be developed. The measuring method elaborated by the BIA and standardised under ISO 8662-11 takes into account existing regulations and, in particular, specifications applying to the standardised vibration measuring instrument. Apart from aspects related to measuring and working conditions, a particular problem consisted of excluding...

State of health in dental technicians with regard to vibration exposure and overload of upper extremities

Nakládalová M., Fialová J., Korycanová H., Nakládal Z.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S129-S131

The authors examined 120 dental technicians, 111 women, 9 men, of mean age 44.8 years, mean duration of exposure 24.9 years. Cold water test, plethysmographic investigation, and EMG (in indicated persons), X-ray, neurological and orthopedic examinations were performed. Combination of exposure to vibration above the limit value, with overload of upper extremities, was proved by hygienic measurement. The most frequent subjective complaints included vertebral complaints (52.5%), paresthesiae in the hand fingers (47.4%) and pain in the joints of upper extremities (elbow 26.6%, shoulder 10.8%, wrist 6.6% and small joints of hand 6.6%). Four workers reported...

Diurnal rhythms of the neuroendocrine system in professional riveters with different constitutional types

Gritsko N., Shulga V., Ivanova L.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S132-S134

In our earlier investigations it have been shown that experimental vibration exposure causes different endocrine reactions in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) and hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) systems in men of different constitutional types. The present study was carried out to determine diurnal rhythms of HPA and HPG systems in professional male riveters during a working day under industrial conditions. The state of HPA and HPG systems was evaluated according to the concentration of hormones cortisol (Cort.) and testosterone (T) in saliva. Mixed saliva was collected without stimulation at 7.00, 11.00, 15.00, 19.00 and 23.00 h. The...

PIMEX - an instructive way to study vibration exposure and work posture

Hjortsberg U., Karlsson J.E.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S135-S136

The PIMEX-method (PIcture-Mix-EXposure) involves measurement of exposure with a direct-reading instrument. The signal from the instrument is superimposed to the recording from a video camera to produce a video film which continuously shows the subject at work and how exposure varies. Application can be a physical factor such as vibration. We used this new method to study vibrations from hand held grinders. Using Brüel and Kjaer miniaturized accelerometer 4374 and vibration meter 2513 we measured vibrations at the grinders main and support handles. We studied different grinders at work on the metal surface as well as at idle speed. Workers posture such...

Treatment of vascular disease caused by vibration

Kohout J., Hůzl F., Bejcková H., Soukupová K.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S137-S138

Vascular diseases caused by vibration are treated by different methods. We ourselves applied in our patients subcutaneous injections of hot-spring gas, per os prazosin (postsynaptic blocker of alpha-sympathetic receptors) which except for its vasodilatory effect improves the rheologic qualities of blood). Subcutaneous injections of hot-spring gas were administered to 31 males aged 32 to 67 years (average 50.58 years) for 15 days, Prazosin VUFB to 12 males aged 33 to 64 years (average 47.8 years) for 28 days and pentoxifylline (Agapurin SPOFA) to 20 males aged 29 to 69 years (average 46.35 years) for 28 days. Simultaneous nervous disease caused by vibration...

Consideration of grip and push forces for the assessment of vibration exposure

Riedel S.

Cent Eur J Public Health 1995, 3(Supplement):S139-S141

There is much influence of the coupling forces between hand and grip of the vibrating tool on the measuring results as well as on the vibration effects on the hand-arm system. In a research project the effects of grip and push forces on acute responses of the hand-arm system under vibration conditions have been studied. Using these results of the biodynamic response, vibration perception threshold and subjective vibration sensation a bonus/malus system for a correction of the measured frequency-weighted r.m.s. acceleration was drafted, to assess the hand-arm vibration at the workplace: Since there is no difference between the acute effects of grip...