Back disorders and exposure to whole-body vibration: Thesis summary
article
Occupational exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) is widespread and may cause back trouble. Several epidemiological studies of the relationship between WBV exposure and back trouble were carried out at the Coronel Laboratory of the University of Amsterdam. This project comprised studies of disability and long-term sick leave due to back disorders among drivers of agricultural tractors, cranes, trucks and buses. In addition, self-reported back pain was studied among helicopter pilots and drivers of forklift trucks, wheel-loaders and agricultural tractors. In each study data on back trouble of the exposed group were compared to a nonexposed reference group, after adjustment for other risk factors for back trouble. From measurements of current vibration levels and questionnaire data on current and historical exposure, a total vibration dose was estimated. Significantly more disability pensioning and long-term sick leave due to intervertebral disc disorders and more (low) back pain in drivers and helicopter pilots was observed compared to their nonexposed colleagues.
Topics
BiomechanicsMusculoskeletal SystemsRisk StudiesOccupational RisksVibrations-EffectsEpidemiological StudiesIntervertebral Disc DisordersOccupational Back DisordersOccupational Vibration SicknessWhole-Body Vibration ExposureOccupational DiseasesBackacheHumanMajor clinical studyOccupational diseaseOccupational exposureVibrationVibration disease
TNO Identifier
231918
ISSN
02680033
Source
Clinical Biomechanics, 7(3), pp. 185-186.
Pages
185-186
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