Abstract

This project analyzed whole-body vibration signals using the recently developed "fourth power" method which, in contrast to the method recommended by ISO standard 2631/1, does not underestimate the potential effects of impulse vibration. The extent to which such underestimation may occur was determined by re-analyzing, using the "fourth-power" method, vibration signals available from a previous study involving skidders, in which analysis was performed using the ISO 2631/1 method.

The results of this comparison indicate that exposures associated with indices of discomfort among skidder operators may have been underestimated by a factor of as much as 3, while exposures associated with health effects may have been underestimated by a factor of as much as 7, depending on peak values.