Affiliations: School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University,
Sudbury, ON, Canada | Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health,
Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada | Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational
Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada | Department of Occupational and Environmental Health,
St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada | Engineering and Controls Technology Branch, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Tammy Eger, School of Human Kinetics,
Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2S2, Canada.
Tel.: +1 705 675 1151 x. 1005; Fax: +1 705 675 4845; E-mail:
teger@laurentian.ca
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Workers who stand on platforms or equipment that vibrate
are exposed to foot-transmitted vibration (FTV). Exposure to FTV can lead to
vibration white feet/toes resulting in blanching of the toes, and tingling and
numbness in the feet and toes. OBJECTIVES: The objectives are 1) to review the current state of
knowledge of the health risks associated with foot-transmitted vibration (FTV),
and 2) to identify the characteristics of FTV and discuss the associated risk
of vibration-induced injury. PARTICIPANTS: Workers who operated locomotives (n=3), bolting
platforms (n=10), jumbo drills (n=7), raise drilling platforms (n=4), and
crushers (n=3), participated. METHODS: A tri-axial accelerometer was used to measure FTV in
accordance with ISO 2631-1 guidelines. Frequency-weighted root-mean-square
acceleration and the dominant frequency are reported. Participants were also
asked to report pain/ache/discomfort in the hands and/or feet. RESULTS: Reports of pain/discomfort/ache were highest in raise
platform workers and jumbo drill operators who were exposed to FTV in the 40 Hz
and 28 Hz range respectively. Reports of discomfort/ache/pain were lowest in
the locomotive and crusher operators who were exposed to FTV below 10 Hz. These
findings are consistent with animal studies that have shown vascular and neural
damage in exposed appendages occurs at frequencies above 40 Hz. CONCLUSIONS: Operators exposed to FTV at 40 Hz appear to be at
greater risk of experiencing vibration induced injury. Future research is
required to document the characteristics of FTV and epidemiological evidence is
required to link exposure with injury.
