Abstract

Airframe assembly involves the use of riveters and rams for the fastening of girders. It also involves the crunching of aluminum rivets by striking them on one side with a riveting hammer, while the other side is supported by a steel ram. The operation therefore requires two workers, who are both exposed to forearm and hand vibrations generated by the riveting hammer. These vibrations can cause Raynaud’s syndrome, depending on their intensity, length of daily exposure and the number of hours worked. For this project, the research team compared two models of riveting hammers and rams used in airframe assembly operations, including the antivibration models. The also identified those that create the mowest level of vibration. The study also showed that noise-reducing pads have little effect on the level of vibration to which riveters are exposed.