DEVELOPMENT OF VIBRATION ISOLATION DEVICE

Abstract

Professional workers in construction companies, manufacturing industries and workshops are continuously exposed to Hand arm vibrations (HAV) during their work schedule which is known to be harmful for their health causing Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and various other musculoskeletal disorders. Various other occupational groups like local workers, mechanics, labour class or helpers at mechanical workshops are vulnerable to these problems due to the HAV originating from the motors of the hand grinding machine or the poor working skills. Hand tools users are considered to be more susceptible to these dangers according to the epidemiological studies due to long duration of exposure to these vibrations, prolonged usage of power hand-held tools while working hours. The purpose of this study is to check the HAV exposure to workers using grinding machine in local workshops and construction companies by using vibration sensing device for purpose of controlling HAV exposure. The accelerometers were used to measure vibrations transmitting from tool to hand arm system. Experimentation was done on selected workers while working on grinding machine so as to take proper readings of specified interval of time. Proper readings were taken using a device named Biometric DataLog device. Readings were taken for bare hands and two industrial gloves and silicone pad gloves for the hand grinder machine Results show that all materials i.e. two industrial gloves and silicone pad glove attenuated the vibrations according to their material properties. Bare hands transmitted higher amount of vibrations from grinder handle to hand arms system as compared to other three measures. Silicone pad glove attenuated significant amount of vibrations and also the highest amount of transmitted vibrations in comparison to other gloves used in testing process.