Proposal of Combined Noise and Hand-Arm Vibration Index for Occupational Exposure: Application to a Study Case in the Olive Sector

Raquel Nieto-Álvarez (), María L. de la Hoz-Torres, Antonio J. Aguilar, María Dolores Martínez-Aires and Diego P. Ruiz
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Raquel Nieto-Álvarez: Department of Architectural Graphic Expression and Engineering, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
María L. de la Hoz-Torres: Department of Building Construction, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Antonio J. Aguilar: Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
María Dolores Martínez-Aires: Department of Building Construction, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Diego P. Ruiz: Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Av. Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-23

Abstract: In many production and industrial sectors, workers are exposed to noise and hand-arm vibrations (HAV). European directives have established the maximum limit values or exposure action values for noise and vibration independently. However, in many cases, workers who endure hand-arm vibration also receive high noise levels. This research suggests a procedure to aid the establishment of precautionary measures for workers with simultaneous exposure to both physical agents. This procedure defines a combined index based on the energy doses for both noise and HAV. From this combined index, the suggested methodology allows a recommended exposure time for workers with simultaneous noise and HAV exposure to be calculated. This methodology can be adapted to tackle the relative importance assigned to both agents according to the safety manager and new knowledge on combined health effects. To test this method, a measurement campaign under real working conditions was conducted with workers from the olive fruit-harvesting sector, where a variety of hand-held machinery is used. The results of the study case show that the suggested procedure can obtain reliable exposure time recommendations for simultaneous noise and HAV exposures and is therefore a useful tool for establishing prevention measures.

Keywords: physical agents; noise; vibration; HAV; workers; olive sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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