Long Term Effects of Whole Body Vibration on the Body

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is transmitted through the seat or feet of employees who drive mobile machinery, or other work vehicles, over rough and uneven surfaces as a main part of their job. Large shocks and jolts may cause health risks including back-pain. Drivers of machinery such as certain tractors, fork lift trucks or quarrying or earth moving machinery may be exposed to WBV and shocks, which are associated with back pain.

As an employer it is your responsibility, to monitor and prevent risk from exposure to vibration. Employers must comply with the control of vibration at work regulations 2005 and follow HSE’s guidance.

Exposure to whole-body vibration may cause health problems. For example, exposure to high shocks may cause back injuries for a person who is seated or knee injuries for someone is a standing position. The level of risk increases as the exposure time increases. Other long term effects can include back, neck or shoulder pain, spinal degeneration and chronic nerve damage to hands and arms.

To mitigate the risk of exposure to vibration, employers should consider using a human vibration meter. A human vibration meter can be defined as an instrument dedicated to measure the daily exposure to whole body vibration using either daily vibration exposure A(8), or vibration dose value (VDV).  When choosing a vibration meter you should check that it complies with the ISO 8041:2005 specifications for whole-body vibration measuring instruments.