4. Fundamentals of Human Vibration Measurement
4.1. Introduction
Vibrations acting on the human body are called human vibration. The main purpose of
measuring human vibration is the prevention of health risks and the evaluation of comfort, for
example in vehicles.
Two categories are distinguished:
•
Hand-Arm Vibrations
, which are induced via the hands into the body. They may cause,
for example, circulatory disorder, bone, joint or muscle diseases.
•
Whole-Body Vibrations
, acting via the buttocks, the back and the feet of a sitting person,
the feet of a standing person or the back and the head of a recumbent person. Such
vibrations may cause backache or damage to the spinal column.
Both types of human vibration are described in international standards:
•
ISO 5349
- Measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration
•
ISO 2631
- Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration
•
ISO 8041
- Human response to vibration. Measuring instrumentation
•
ISO 8662
- Hand-held portable power tools - Measurement of vibrations at the handle
•
ISO 6954
- Guidelines for the measurement, reporting and evaluation of vibration with
regard to habitability on passenger and merchant ships
•
ISO 10056
- Measurement and analysis of whole-body vibration to which passengers and
crew are exposed in railway vehicles
•
ISO 10326
- Laboratory method for evaluating vehicle seat vibration
Practical advice for measurement and evaluation of human vibration can be found in
VDI 2057
.
The subject of human vibration has gained particular importance in Europe since the directive
2002/44/EC
came into effect. It specifies the duties of employers with regard to workers
protection.
4.2. EU Directive 2002/44/EC
The following text is an abstract of Directive 2002/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council dated June 25 2002. The complete text can be downloaded from
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/
The directive lays down minimum requirements for the protection of workers from the risks
arising from vibrations. Manufacturers of machines and employers should make an adjustment
regarding risks related to exposure to vibration.
The directive lays down the following limit values:
4