Whole-body vibration exposure and non-neutral neck postures during occupational use of all-terrain vehicles. Ann Occup Hyg

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure from various all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) like snowgroomers, snowmobiles and forwarders, and to investigate how frequently the drivers ’ cervical spine is positioned in a non-neutral rotational position during operation. Methods: Field measurements of WBV were measured according to the international stan-dard ISO 2631-1 in 19 ATVs. Simultaneous recordings of frequency and duration of rotational neck movements exceeding 15 were achieved through an observational method, PEOflex. Results: The sum of the vectors of frequency-weighted r.m.s. acceleration varied between 0.5 and 3.5 m s2, which meant that for most vehicles they exceeded the action value stated by the European Union (0.5 m s2r.m.s.). In general, snowmobiles achieved the highest vibration total value. The dominant vibration direction for the snowmobile was the x-axis but the z-axis also had relatively high vibration dose values and maximal transient vibration values. The z-axis was the dominant vibration direction for the snowgroomer and the y-axis for the forwarder. Frequency and duration of non-neutral rotational neck postures were relatively low for all driver categories