Vibrations

The term vibrations refers to mechanical oscillations that objects transfer to the human body via so-called contact points. If the vibration enters the body via feet, back, or bottom, this is called whole-body vibration. If the vibration enters the body via the hand, this is called hand-arm vibration.

Road works
© Uwe Völkner, Fotoagentur FOX

Depending on duration, intensity, and frequency of Exposition, whole-body vibrations may cause back pain and even damage the spinal column in the long run. Possible long-term consequences of hand-arm vibrations include both regenerative and degenerative symptoms, such as bone and joint damage, respectively, circulatory disorders, or neurological diseases.

Ordinance to protect workers from risks arising from vibrations at work

The European Directive 2002/44/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from vibrations was implemented into German law in 2007 by the Noise and Vibrations Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (LärmVibrationsArbSchV).
Technical Rules (TRLV) specify this ordinance regarding the risk assessment, the measurement of vibrations, as well as the derivation of suitable protective measures. When applying the TRLV, compliance with the provisions of the Noise and Vibrations Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (LärmVibrationsArbSchV) can be assumed.

European OSH Directive 2002/44/EC on vibrations

Noise and Vibrations Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (LärmVibrationsArbSchV) (PDF, 152 KB)

Further Information

Publications

Search results

Information on vibration emissions in practice

baua: Report 2016

According to the European Machinery Directive, manufacturers of machines are obliged to declare the outgoing emissions like …

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Perception of fore-and-aft whole-body vibration intensity measured by two methods

Article 2015

This experimental study investigated the perception of fore-and-aft whole-body vibration intensity using cross-modality matching …

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Three dimensional movement of the head under whole-body vibration exposure

Article 2014

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A cohort study of sciatic pain and measures of internal spinal load in professional drivers

Article 2013

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Human test data for enhancement of FE-model CASIMIR to investigate effects of active muscle patterns within WBV on internal body loads

Article 2013

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ISOMAG 2.0 - Software for Optimal Vibration Isolation of Machines and Devices

Report 2013

Vibrations emanating from machines can be detrimental to human health and well-being. Aside from that, vibrations increase …

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Measures of internal lumbar load in professional drivers - dependence on posture, anthropometry, age, duration of exposure and type of machine

Article 2013

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The effect of fore-and-aft vibration frequency and magnitude on the movement of the head

Article 2013

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Weighting curves for fore-and-aft, lateral and vertical whole-body vibration obtained using the cross modality matching method

Article 2013

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Weighting curves for fore-and-aft, lateral and vertical whole-body vibration obtained using the cross modality matching method

Article 2013

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