Vibration effects on mine workers
CIM Bulletin, Vol. 75, No. 838, 1982
STANLEYG. MUTTON, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, and
ROBERT BRUBAKER Research Associate, Department of Health Care & Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.
It has long been recognized that mining workers subjected to high levels of hand-transmitted vibration may suffer from vibration-related complaints. Prolonged exposure to whole-body vibration may also result in adverse effects. In this study, the effects of vibration on mining workers are examined. Previous work documenting the occurrence of vibration-related disease is reviewed. From this work, it is apparent that operators of hand-held pneumatic rock drills are exposed to a significant risk of developing vibration disease. Vibration levels recorded on the rock drills now in use are presented and shown to exceed levels recommended by a proposed ISO standard.
Keywords:
Underground mining, Vibration, Drills, Rock drills, Pneumatic drills, Sullivan Mine, Occupational health.
