We're sorry, but OSHAcademy doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript or install a browser that supports Javascript.

750 Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Skip to main content

Vibration

Potential Hazards

Vibration caused by machinery is common. Vibration transferred from a machine to the human body may cause discomfort, a reduction of performance, and even injury.

Worker using ground stamping machine that has a lot of vibration.
Vibration affecting the fingers, hands, and arms.

Examples of injury caused by vibration include hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or damage to the circulatory system of the upper extremities (Raynaud's syndrome).

Vibration may also cause damage to the peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy), and to the bones and joints (aseptic necrosis, fatigue fractures, degenerative joint disease).

Raynaud's Syndrome (also called White fingers) is a disease of the hands in which the blood vessels in the fingers collapse due to repeated exposure to vibration. The skin and muscle tissue do not get the oxygen they need and eventually die.

HAVS is a more advanced condition, and the entire hand or arm may be affected by exposure to vibration.

  • Early signs of HAVS are infrequent feelings of numbness and/or tingling in the fingers, hands, or arms, or numbness and whiteness in the tip of the finger when exposed to cold.
  • As the disease progresses, a worker experiences more frequent attacks of numbness, tingling, and pain and finds it difficult to use the hands.
  • A worker with advanced HAVS may be disabled for a long amount of time.

Possible Solutions

Vibration is especially dangerous when proper damping techniques are not applied, if machines are not maintained, if tools are not alternated, or if a worker uses a vibrating tool for consecutive hours during a workday. Possible solutions include engineering controls to remove the vibration hazard and safe work practices to reduce exposure to existing or potential vibration. Workers need to be trained on the hazards of working with vibrating tools, and should always allow the tool or machine to do the work.

Vibration isolators or damping techniques on equipment offer the most effective protection.

  • Isolate machine vibrations from the surface if it is mounted or by use of vibration isolation mounts.
  • Vibrating panels of machine housings and guards may be controlled by use of damping materials applied to the panels.
  • Felts, liquid mastics, and elastomeric damping sheets are effective damping materials.
  • Determining the correct type and quantity of damping material to use for a particular machine is a complicated process and should be left to a knowledgeable person.
  • The frequency emitted by the machine, the noise reduction level desired, and the weight and size of the machine are factors to consider.
  • A good rule of thumb is that the damping layer should be the same thickness as the surfaces being treated.
  • Maintain machines in proper working order. Unbalanced rotating parts or unsharpened cutting tools can give off excessive vibration.
  • Arrange work tasks so that vibrating and nonvibrating tools can be used alternately.
  • Restrict the number of hours a worker uses a vibrating tool during the workday. Allow employees to take 10 to 15 minute breaks from the source of the vibration every hour.
  • Train workers about the hazards of working with vibrating tools. Instruction should include: the sources of vibration exposure, early signs and symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome, and work practices for minimizing vibration exposure.
  • Instruct workers to keep their hands warm and dry, and to not grip a vibrating tool too tightly. Workers should allow the tool or machine to do the work.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-7. Peter frequently works with jack hammers; he has recently been feeling numbness and tingling in his fingers, hands, and arms. These may be early signs of _____.