Mailmens Vibration Hazards Induced by Motorcycle Riding Results of Cooling Load Tests

Abstract

Physical examinations of peripheral circulation and vibratory sensation were undertaken on 120 postal workers in S. and N. Prefectures and 61 in G. Prefecture. The items measured were skin temperature of the finger, the nail press test and vibratory sense threshold. The differences in the values of peripheral circulation and vibratory sensation obtained by the cooling load test between the groups using motorcycles and those using only bicycles or working indoors were often found to be statistically significant. On the whole, the disorders in peripheral circulation and vibratory sensation were severe in the group with waxy white changes in the fingers. It is reported that the maximum vibration acceleration level on the handle bars of motorcycles on paved roads exceeds the exposure guidelines of the ISO. Thus, it may be suggested that mailmens vibration hazards induced by motorcycle riding are widespread in our country. © 1982, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. All rights reserved.