A construction worker is exposed to mechanical vibrations (vibrations) – this is the fourth most harmful factor in the working environment in terms of the number of employees at risk. In 2019, 12,891 workers were exposed. According to the data of the Central Statistical Office, compared to 2018, the number of employees at risk of mechanical vibrations remains at a similar level. There is a downward trend in the long term. However, the problem still remains.

Vibration syndrome makes itself felt after a few years, depriving both fitness and health. However, the disease can be prevented.

Statistical data show that the largest number of people at risk of vibration work in sections such as: construction, industrial processing, transport and storage, and mining. Despite the downward trend in many areas of the economy, there was an increase in the number of people employed in conditions threatened by mechanical vibrations, e.g. it’s about construction workers.

Vibration disease is one of the occupational diseases of employees who are exposed to long-term mechanical vibrations. It has a negative impact on many aspects of human health. In order to protect employees against vibration disease, it is necessary to comply with the permissible vibration standards and properly selected occupational medical care.

The vibration syndrome is created as a result of exposing the body to mechanical vibrations. It should be remembered that even a small but regular experience of vibrations results in serious health consequences, called vibration syndrome.

Vibration syndrome is included in the list of occupational diseases, which means that the employer is obliged to take preventive measures against the employee.

The symptoms of the disease depend on the form that the disease takes. We distinguish here:

• neurovascular form – in the case of local vibrations, vascular and nervous disorders appear. Symptoms are usually visible in the blood flow in the fingers of the hands (fingers turn pale), numbness and tingling – the symptoms pass after resting and warming the hands.

so-called hand vibration disease initially seems harmless. However, ignoring the first symptoms can cause more and more frequent and longer relapses, as well as occupying more fingers.

• osteoarticular form – occurs in the case of vibrations affecting the body in general. Symptoms appear after some time. The onset of the disease is confused with rheumatism (pain in the joints). The symptom is frequent bone fractures.

The osteoarticular form is much more difficult to detect without diagnostic tests. If left untreated, it can lead to bone degeneration and calcification, which effectively affect the comfort of life and work of an employee – they make it difficult to move, and are a source of pain.

In the case of vibration disease, internal organs cannot be omitted, as they lose their homeostasis as a result of exposure to constant vibrations, which results in a general deterioration of health.

First of all, men are exposed to the effects of vibrations and vibrations, because they work with mechanical devices much more often than women. We are talking about:

• operators of road, construction and agricultural machines;
• operators of hand electric tools: pneumatic hammers, impact drills, lathes, saws, etc.;
• employees operating machines that vibrate the ground on which they stand;
• drivers of all vehicles.

If an employee is diagnosed with a vibration disease, there is little that can be done. Treatment is symptomatic, directed at specific ailments. Disease must be prevented, which is the responsibility of the employer. Preventive measures include:

• Compliance with standards – in the Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labor of August 5, 2005 on occupational health and safety at work involving exposure to noise or mechanical vibrations, the minimum vibration standards are defined in detail, as well as the obligation imposed on the employer to perform vibration measurements.
• Tools and breaks at work – it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure a safe workplace. The risk of vibration sickness is reduced by the use of modern tools that do not vibrate too much. In addition, providing the employee with protectors, cushioned seats in machines, vibration isolators, as well as other personal protective equipment. Regular rest breaks, job rotation and employee education are also forms of prevention.
• Medical care – in professions at risk of vibration disease, medical examinations are important: initial, periodic and follow-up. Their type was specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of 30 May 1996 on the scope of preventive health care for employees and medical certificates issued for the purposes provided for in the Labor Code.

Source:https://kadry.infor.pl/bhp/chroby-wodowe/6087398,pracowniku-budowlany-uwazaj-na-chorobe-wibracyjna.html

Supported by Norway through Norway Grants 2014-2021, in the frame of the Programme “Social Dialogue – Decent Work”.