Evaluation of hand transmitted chainsaw vibrations during wood cutting

Abstract

Forestry workers are exposed to vibrations from chainsaws which usually are not taken into consideration from the negative impact point of view on their health. However, in time, these vibrations could cause trepidation disease which will affect the worker neuro-muscular and locomotory apparatus. One mean to mitigate the vibrations impact is to measure and determine the worker's exposure level to vibrations during worktime and to dispose the proper measures to reduce their negative impact. Within this paper will be presented experimental results obtained for vibration data recorded on a chainsaw during wood cutting in real life conditions. The equivalent vibration was measured at both front and end handles level and the biggest value was used for calculation of the human exposure level.