Vibration
8. RISK FACTORS IN THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
According to the Ordinance by the Council
of State on the protection of workers from
risks caused by vibrations the employer is
required to assess the workers’ exposure
to vibration. The risk caused by vibration
needs to be eliminated at the source or
reduced to a minimum exposure level.
Vibration is categorized in two types:
hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration.
In the hand-arm vibration, vibration
is transmitted to the human-arm
system. In the whole-body vibration,
vibration is transmitted from the floor
or the seat to the body. Vibration causes
health risk. Typical symptoms caused by
the hand-arm vibration are fingers getting
white, loss of sensation, and reduced
strength of grip.
The potential risk associated with expo-
sure to vibration may be assessed by observing
work practices and using equipment
vibration values for the actual work,
including values supplied by equipment
manufactures.
The exposure of workers to hand-arm vibration
can be reduced by keeping equipment
in good working condition, and
choosing working methods that require
less exposure to hand-arm vibration, by
the design and layout of workplaces and
work stations and by limitation of the duration
and intensity of exposure to vibration.
When it comes to whole-body vibration
it is important to follow appropriate
maintenance programs to keep equipment
in good working order. Additionally,
the seats for machinery should be such
that the worker can adjust them for his
weight. The driveways should be as even
as possible.
Lighting
Poor lighting of a work place increases
the risk of accident and makes it more difficult
to work. Make sure your work place
has enough light. If needed, ask your supervisor
to provide more light. In structural
blocks and ships under construction
lighting is mainly supplied by portable
electric lamps. Each worker in a ship
should carry their own flash light in case
of blackouts. In case of a fire, an electric
blackout is possible, and you need to
have your own flashlight on you to make
sure you can safely exit the dark ship.
Gases
In many work places different types of hazardous
gases are used as inert gases for
flame cutting and welding. Gases, such as
Argon, that are heavier than air will displace
oxygen causing a choking risk when
they collect in tanks and foxholes. Valves
must be closed and gas hoses removed
from tanks during breaks and after the
working day.
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