IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Control of hand-arm vibrations produced by operating vibrating portable tools: considerations of the human interface and biodynamic behaviors

Abstract

The vibration produced by some portable tools leads to various upper limb disorders, collectively called “hand-arm vibration syndrome”. The aim of this study was to establish foundations for the development of models that can be used to effectively reproduce the dynamic behaviour of a “tool – hand-arm” system by taking into account the effect of variations in the gripping and thrust forces applied to the handle, the subject’s posture, the configuration of the handle, as well as the amplitude of the vibrations. This study characterized the effect of these different parameters on the hand-arm system’s biodynamic response and established mathematical relationships between the gripping and thrust forces and the contact force at the hand-handle interface. The results will be used to define the optimum conditions for using portable tools in order to reduce hand-arm vibration, and to develop analytical instruments that will serve as a basis in designing portable tools with less risk of producing hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0099-2990
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2006
Team:
  • Paul-Émile Boileau (IRSST)
  • Subhash Rakheja (Université Concordia)
  • Jérôme Boutin (IRSST)
  • Pierre Marcotte (IRSST)
  • Rama B. Bhat (Université Concordia)
  • Ion Stiharu (Université Concordia)
  • J. Dargahi (Université Concordia)