Original scientific paper
Operator Exposure to Noise and Whole-Body Vibration in a Fully Mechanised CTL Forest Harvesting System in Karst Terrain
Anton Poje
orcid.org/0000-0003-3080-6016
; University of Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty Večna pot 83 1000 Ljubljana SLOVENIA
Stefano Grigolato
orcid.org/0000-0002-2089-3892
; University of Padova Department of Land and Agriculture and Forestry Systems Viale dell’Università 16 35020 Legnaro ITALY
Igor Potočnik
; University of Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty Večna pot 83 1000 Ljubljana SLOVENIA
Abstract
In recent decades fully mechanised cut-to-length forest harvesting systems have spread from flat and gentle to steep and rough terrain. To analyse the potential adverse impact of these changes on operator health, an observational study of exposure to noise and whole-body vibration (WBV) was carried out in karst terrain. The results showed that, in contrast to exposure to noise, the exposure of harvester and forwarder operators to WBV exceeds the daily exposure action value specified in the European Directive. Differences between work sites may contribute up to 8.7 dB(A) to noise exposure and up to 0.28 m/s2 and 6.0 m/s1.75 to WBV exposure when working with forwarders and harvesters. Aside from technical upgrades of machines, reduction of exposure to both WBV and noise, while simultaneously maintaining high productivity, requires careful selection of work sites and adapted work organisation.
Keywords
forestry; ergonomics; exposure to noise; exposure to whole-body vibration; CTL harvesting
Hrčak ID:
217403
URI
Publication date:
14.1.2019.
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