Evaluation of a Vibration Measurement Tool as Part of a Whole-Body Vibration Management Program in Underground Hard-Rock Mining

Prolonged exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) experienced by mobile equipment operators requires routine measurement to manage the risk for numerous adverse health effects. The WBVpod is an affordable and purportedly accurate iPod application that could provide workers the means to regularly measure WBV exposure. The WBVpod was used simultaneously with a gold-standard vibration meter to determine the level of agreement between the two devices during laboratory and field trials. Furthermore, a pilot study that used the WBVpod and educational sessions among underground miners (n=7) and trainees (n=11) was conducted to determine how the WBVpod could compliment an intervention on perceived knowledge, as well as gaining feedback from the participants on the usability of the WBVpod.

The WBVpod displayed a high level of agreement with the gold standard device for all three axes (ICC: 0.92-0.97), with the vertical axis having the least bias (-0.015 m/s²) but a wider limits of agreement (-0.136 – 0.106 m/s²). The pilot study found a significant improvement in perceived WBV knowledge (U=9.5, p<.05), however discomfort was a common complaint when sitting on the WBVpod for extended periods of time.

The findings suggest that the WBVpod would be a valid tool to estimate WBV exposure. In addition, the majority of participants experienced an increase in perceived WBV knowledge and increased ability to measure WBV

Keywords: Whole-body vibration, iPod application, validation, knowledge, usability

Year	Entry
2008	Cation S, Jack R, Oliver M, Dickey JP, Lee-Shee NK. Six degree of freedom whole-body vibration during forestry skidder operations. Int J Ind Ergon. September–October 2008;38(9-10):739-757.
2003	Cann AP, Salmoni AW, Vi P, Eger TR. An exploratory study of whole-body vibration exposure and dose while operating heavy equipment in the construction industry. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. December 2003;18(12):999-1005.
2014	Leduc M, Leduc C, Dickey JP, Eger T. Field evaluation of a new iPod app to estimate whole-body vibration exposure. In: Proceedings of the 5th American Conference on Human Vibration. June 10-13, 2014; Guelph, ON.76-77.
2006	Eger T, Salmoni A, Cann A, Jack R. Whole-body vibration exposure experienced by mining equipment operators. Occup Ergon. 2006;6(3-4):121-127.
1986	Seidel H, Heide R. Long-term effects of whole-body vibration: a critical survey of the literature. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. June 1986;58(1):1-26.
2006	Bovenzi M, Rui F, Negro C, D’Agostin F, Angotzi G, Bianchi S, Bramanti L, Festa G, Gatti S, Pinto I, Rondina L, Stacchini N. An epidemiological study of low back pain in professional drivers. J Sound Vibrat. December 12, 2006;298(3):514-539.
1986	Panjabi MM, Andersson GB, Jorneus L, Hult E, Mattsson L. In vivo measurements of spinal column vibrations. J Bone Joint Surg. June 1986;68A(5):695-702.
2013	Dong RG, Welcome DE, McDowell TW, Wu JZ. Theoretical relationship between vibration transmissibility and driving-point response functions of the human body. J Sound Vibrat. November 25, 2013;332(24):6193-6202.
1990	Boshuizen HC, Hulshof CTJ, Bongers PM. Long-term sick leave and disability pensioning due to back disorders of tractor drivers exposed to whole-body vibration. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. February 1990;62(2):117-122.
2000	Lings S, Leboeuf-Yde C. Whole-body vibration and low back pain: a systematic, critical review of the epidemiological literature 1992-1999. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. July 2000;73(5):290-297.
2002	Pope M, Magnusson M, Lundström R, Hulshof C, Verbeek J, Bovenzi M. Guidelines for whole-body vibration health surveillance. J Sound Vibrat. May 23, 2002;253(1):131-167.
1989	Village J, Morrison JB, Leong DKN. Whole-body vibration in underground load-haul-dump vehicles. Ergonomics. 1989;32(10):1167-1183.
2010	Oliver M, Conrad L, Jack RJ, Dickey JP, Eger T. Comfort based seat selection to minimize 6 DOF whole-body vibration in integrated steel manufacturing mobile machinery. In: Proceedings of the 3rd American Conference on Human Vibration. June 1-4, 2010; Iowa City, IA.91-92.
2002	Mansfield NJ, Griffin MJ. Effects of posture and vibration magnitude on apparent mass and pelvis rotation during exposure to whole-body vertical vibration. J Sound Vibrat. May 23, 2002;253(1):93-107.
2008	Dickey JP, Eger TR, Oliver ML, Boileau P-É, Grenier S. The nature of multiaxis six-degree-of-freedom vehicle vibrations in forestry, mining, and construction heavy equipment. In: Proceedings of the 2nd American Conference on Human Vibration. June 4-6, 2008; Chicago, IL.119-120.
2005	Mansfield NJ. Human Response to Vibration. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2005.
2005	Seidel H. On the relationship between whole-body vibration exposure and spinal health risk. Ind Health. July 2005;43(3):361-377.
1994	Bovenzi M, Betta A. Low-back disorders in agricultural tractor drivers exposed to whole-body vibration and postural stress. Appl Ergon. August 1994;25(4):231-241.
1996	Bovenzi M. Low back pain disorders and exposure to whole-body vibration in the workplace. Semin Perinatol. February 1996;20(1):38-53.
1999	Bovenzi M, Hulshof CTJ. An updated review of epidemiologic studies on the relationship between exposure to whole-body vibration and low back pain (1986–1997). Int Arch Occup Environ Health. September 1999;72(6):351-365.
1990	Griffin MJ. Handbook of Human Vibration. London, UK: Academic Press Limited; 1990.
2010	Smets MPH, Eger TR, Grenier SG. Whole-body vibration experienced by haulage truck operators in surface mining operations: a comparison of various analysis methods utilized in the prediction of health risks. Appl Ergon. October 2010;41(6):763-770.
2002	Paddan GS, Griffin MJ. Effect of seating on exposures to whole-body vibration in vehicles. J Sound Vibrat. May 23, 2002;253(1):215-241.
1993	Seidel H. Selected health risks caused by long-term, whole-body vibration. Am J Ind Med. April 1993;23(4):589-604.
2004	Cann AP, Salmoni AW, Eger TR. Predictors of whole-body vibration exposure experienced by highway transport truck operators. Ergonomics. October 22, 2004;47(13):1432-1453.
2013	Eger TR, Kociolek AM, Dickey JP. Comparing health risks to load-haul-dump vehicle operators exposed to whole-body vibration using EU Directive 2002/44EC, ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-5. Minerals. 2013;3(1):16-35.
2014	Ji X, Eger T, Dickey JP. Controlled laboratory evaluation of a new iPod app to estimate whole-body vibration exposure. In: Proceedings of the 5th American Conference on Human Vibration. June 10-13, 2014; Guelph, ON.74-75.
1997	Kitazaki S, Griffin MJ. A modal analysis of whole-body vertical vibration, using a finite element model of the human body. J Sound Vibrat. February 13, 1997;200(1):83-103.
2005	Bovenzi M. Health effects of mechanical vibration. G Ital Med Lav Ergon. January–March 2005;27(1):58-64.
1996	Thalheimer E. Practical approach to measurement and evaluation of exposure to whole-body vibration in the workplace. Semin Perinatol. February 1996;20(1):77-89.
1983	Sandover J. Dynamic loading as a possible source of low-back disorders. Spine. September 1983;8(6):652-658.
1997	Scutter S, Türker KS, Hall R. Headaches and neck pain in farmers. Aust J Rural Health. February 1997;5(1):2-5.
1982	Wilder DG, Woodworth BB, Frymoyer JW, Pope MH. Vibration and the human spine. Spine. 1982;7(3):243-254.
1997	Mechanical Vibration and Shock: Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration, I: General Requirements. ISO Standard ISO 2631-1. [ISO Standard thesis]. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization; 1997.
1987	Hulshof C, van Zanten BV. Whole-body vibration and low-back pain: a review of epidemiologic studies. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. March 1987;59(3):205-220.
2010	Dickey JP, Eger TR, Oliver ML. A systematic approach to simulating field-based occupational whole-body vibration exposure in the lab using a 6df robot. Work. 2010;35(1):15-26.
2011	Eger T, Stevenson JM, Grenier S, Boileau P-É, Smets MP. Influence of vehicle size, haulage capacity and ride control on vibration exposure and predicted health risks for LHD vehicle operators. J Low Freq Noise Vib Act Control. March 2011;30(1):45-62.

Year

Entry

2008

Cation S, Jack R, Oliver M, Dickey JP, Lee-Shee NK. Six degree of freedom whole-body vibration during forestry skidder operations. Int J Ind Ergon. September–October 2008;38(9-10):739-757.

2003

Cann AP, Salmoni AW, Vi P, Eger TR. An exploratory study of whole-body vibration exposure and dose while operating heavy equipment in the construction industry. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. December 2003;18(12):999-1005.

2014

Leduc M, Leduc C, Dickey JP, Eger T. Field evaluation of a new iPod app to estimate whole-body vibration exposure. In: Proceedings of the 5th American Conference on Human Vibration. June 10-13, 2014; Guelph, ON.76-77.

2006

Eger T, Salmoni A, Cann A, Jack R. Whole-body vibration exposure experienced by mining equipment operators. Occup Ergon. 2006;6(3-4):121-127.

1986

Seidel H, Heide R. Long-term effects of whole-body vibration: a critical survey of the literature. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. June 1986;58(1):1-26.

2006

Bovenzi M, Rui F, Negro C, D’Agostin F, Angotzi G, Bianchi S, Bramanti L, Festa G, Gatti S, Pinto I, Rondina L, Stacchini N. An epidemiological study of low back pain in professional drivers. J Sound Vibrat. December 12, 2006;298(3):514-539.

1986

Panjabi MM, Andersson GB, Jorneus L, Hult E, Mattsson L. In vivo measurements of spinal column vibrations. J Bone Joint Surg. June 1986;68A(5):695-702.

2013

Dong RG, Welcome DE, McDowell TW, Wu JZ. Theoretical relationship between vibration transmissibility and driving-point response functions of the human body. J Sound Vibrat. November 25, 2013;332(24):6193-6202.

1990

Boshuizen HC, Hulshof CTJ, Bongers PM. Long-term sick leave and disability pensioning due to back disorders of tractor drivers exposed to whole-body vibration. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. February 1990;62(2):117-122.

2000

Lings S, Leboeuf-Yde C. Whole-body vibration and low back pain: a systematic, critical review of the epidemiological literature 1992-1999. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. July 2000;73(5):290-297.

2002

Pope M, Magnusson M, Lundström R, Hulshof C, Verbeek J, Bovenzi M. Guidelines for whole-body vibration health surveillance. J Sound Vibrat. May 23, 2002;253(1):131-167.

1989

Village J, Morrison JB, Leong DKN. Whole-body vibration in underground load-haul-dump vehicles. Ergonomics. 1989;32(10):1167-1183.

2010

Oliver M, Conrad L, Jack RJ, Dickey JP, Eger T. Comfort based seat selection to minimize 6 DOF whole-body vibration in integrated steel manufacturing mobile machinery. In: Proceedings of the 3rd American Conference on Human Vibration. June 1-4, 2010; Iowa City, IA.91-92.

2002

Mansfield NJ, Griffin MJ. Effects of posture and vibration magnitude on apparent mass and pelvis rotation during exposure to whole-body vertical vibration. J Sound Vibrat. May 23, 2002;253(1):93-107.

2008

Dickey JP, Eger TR, Oliver ML, Boileau P-É, Grenier S. The nature of multiaxis six-degree-of-freedom vehicle vibrations in forestry, mining, and construction heavy equipment. In: Proceedings of the 2nd American Conference on Human Vibration. June 4-6, 2008; Chicago, IL.119-120.

2005

Mansfield NJ. Human Response to Vibration. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2005.

2005

Seidel H. On the relationship between whole-body vibration exposure and spinal health risk. Ind Health. July 2005;43(3):361-377.

1994

Bovenzi M, Betta A. Low-back disorders in agricultural tractor drivers exposed to whole-body vibration and postural stress. Appl Ergon. August 1994;25(4):231-241.

1996

Bovenzi M. Low back pain disorders and exposure to whole-body vibration in the workplace. Semin Perinatol. February 1996;20(1):38-53.

1999

Bovenzi M, Hulshof CTJ. An updated review of epidemiologic studies on the relationship between exposure to whole-body vibration and low back pain (1986–1997). Int Arch Occup Environ Health. September 1999;72(6):351-365.

1990

Griffin MJ. Handbook of Human Vibration. London, UK: Academic Press Limited; 1990.

2010

Smets MPH, Eger TR, Grenier SG. Whole-body vibration experienced by haulage truck operators in surface mining operations: a comparison of various analysis methods utilized in the prediction of health risks. Appl Ergon. October 2010;41(6):763-770.

2002

Paddan GS, Griffin MJ. Effect of seating on exposures to whole-body vibration in vehicles. J Sound Vibrat. May 23, 2002;253(1):215-241.

1993

Seidel H. Selected health risks caused by long-term, whole-body vibration. Am J Ind Med. April 1993;23(4):589-604.

2004

Cann AP, Salmoni AW, Eger TR. Predictors of whole-body vibration exposure experienced by highway transport truck operators. Ergonomics. October 22, 2004;47(13):1432-1453.

2013

Eger TR, Kociolek AM, Dickey JP. Comparing health risks to load-haul-dump vehicle operators exposed to whole-body vibration using EU Directive 2002/44EC, ISO 2631-1 and ISO 2631-5. Minerals. 2013;3(1):16-35.

2014

Ji X, Eger T, Dickey JP. Controlled laboratory evaluation of a new iPod app to estimate whole-body vibration exposure. In: Proceedings of the 5th American Conference on Human Vibration. June 10-13, 2014; Guelph, ON.74-75.

1997

Kitazaki S, Griffin MJ. A modal analysis of whole-body vertical vibration, using a finite element model of the human body. J Sound Vibrat. February 13, 1997;200(1):83-103.

2005

Bovenzi M. Health effects of mechanical vibration. G Ital Med Lav Ergon. January–March 2005;27(1):58-64.

1996

Thalheimer E. Practical approach to measurement and evaluation of exposure to whole-body vibration in the workplace. Semin Perinatol. February 1996;20(1):77-89.

1983

Sandover J. Dynamic loading as a possible source of low-back disorders. Spine. September 1983;8(6):652-658.

1997

Scutter S, Türker KS, Hall R. Headaches and neck pain in farmers. Aust J Rural Health. February 1997;5(1):2-5.

1982

Wilder DG, Woodworth BB, Frymoyer JW, Pope MH. Vibration and the human spine. Spine. 1982;7(3):243-254.

1997

Mechanical Vibration and Shock: Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration, I: General Requirements. ISO Standard ISO 2631-1. [ISO Standard thesis]. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization; 1997.

1987

Hulshof C, van Zanten BV. Whole-body vibration and low-back pain: a review of epidemiologic studies. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. March 1987;59(3):205-220.

2010

Dickey JP, Eger TR, Oliver ML. A systematic approach to simulating field-based occupational whole-body vibration exposure in the lab using a 6df robot. Work. 2010;35(1):15-26.

2011

Eger T, Stevenson JM, Grenier S, Boileau P-É, Smets MP. Influence of vehicle size, haulage capacity and ride control on vibration exposure and predicted health risks for LHD vehicle operators. J Low Freq Noise Vib Act Control. March 2011;30(1):45-62.

Year	Entry
2017	Lynas D, Burgess-Limerick R. Use of a free iOS application to measure and evaluate whole-body vibration at coal mines. In: 6th International Conference on Whole Body Vibration (WBV2017). June 19-21, 2017; Gothenburg, Sweden.34-35.

Year

Entry

2017

Lynas D, Burgess-Limerick R. Use of a free iOS application to measure and evaluate whole-body vibration at coal mines. In: 6th International Conference on Whole Body Vibration (WBV2017). June 19-21, 2017; Gothenburg, Sweden.34-35.