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Project IRSST

Evaluation of the whole-body vibration exposure of Montréal subway operators and study of the dynamic behaviour of cars and their suspension systemPaul-Émile Boileau / IRSST
Subhash Rakheja / Université Concordia


0099-2060 : Completed

Subway operators complain about the confined space, uncomfortable seats and exposure to vibration, which suggests that the ergonomic constraints and vibration pose health risks, particularly musculoskeletal disorders. Related to an ergonomic study, this project defined the vibrational stresses to which these workers are exposed, characterized the vibration environment of the cars, identified the operational factors likely to influence whole-body vibration exposure levels, and finally, led to the development of seat suspension design criteria for reducing vibration. Significant levels of recorded vibrations for some interstations indicate that efforts to reduce their intensity should be considered. The report describes the requirements relating to the natural frequency and damping characteristics of the seats that could be considered effective in reducing these vibrations, as well as other solutions that could be considered as complementary.



IRSST publications
Boileau, Paul-Émile; Boutin, Jérôme; Rakheja, Subhash; Politis, Harry
Évaluation de l'exposition aux vibrations globales du corps des opérateurs du métro de Montréal et étude du comportement dynamique des motrices et de leur système de suspension   (Evaluation of the exposure of Montréal subway operators to whole-body vibrations and study of the dynamic behaviour of cars and their suspension systems)
Études et recherches / Rapport  R-420, Montréal, IRSST, 2005, 70 pages. Free download   More Info

Scientific publications and communicationsBeaugrand S.,  Bellemare M.,  Boileau P.-É.,  Larue C.,  Champoux D.,  Boutin J. 
Subway cab improvement approach to relieve problems of discomfort and whole-body vibration
in Proceedings of the 16th World Congress of the International Ergonomics Association / IEA (16th : July 10-14, 2006 : Maastricht, Netherlands), CD-ROM, Pikaar, R.N., Koningsveld, E.A.P., Settels, P.J.M. (éds), Elsevier, 2006.

Boileau P.-É.,  Rakheja S.,  Politis H.,  Boutin J. 
Assessment of operators exposure to multi-axes whole-body vibration environment of Montreal subway cars
in International Conference on Whole-Body Vibration Injuries (3rd : June 7-9, 2005 : Nancy, France), 2005.

Boileau P.-É.,  Boutin J.,  Marcotte P. 
Caractérisation de l’exposition à des vibrations globales du corps dans les loges des opérateurs du métro de Montréal
in 2e congrès national de l’Association canadienne de recherche en santé au travail - ACRST/CARWH, (2e : 25-26 octobre, 2003 : Montréal, Canada), 2003.

Deodhar A.,  Rakheja S.,  Bhat R. B. 
Vibration and tyre force transmissibility of commercial vehicles owing to wheel unbalance and non-uniformity defects
International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, vol. 13, no 3, 2006, p. 212-240.

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