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Volume 13, Issue 2 (Iranian Journal of Ergonomics-In Press 2025)
Iran J Ergon 2025, 13(2): 0-0 |
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Aliabadi M, Rahmani R, Farhadian M, Attari S G, Aeini H. Investigating Occupational Exposure Levels and Health Effects Associated with Hand-Arm Vibration during Work with Vibrating Equipment in Furniture Carpentry Workshops. Iran J Ergon 2025; 13 (2)
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-1092-en.html
URL: http://journal.iehfs.ir/article-1-1092-en.html
1- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
2- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran ,1raminrahmani@gmail.com
3- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
4- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd, Iran
5- Department of Environment, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran ,
3- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
4- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd, Iran
5- Department of Environment, Electronic Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (843 Views)
Objectives: In the furniture industry, workers operating woodworking machinery are exposed to hand-arm vibration. The present study aims to assess the occupational exposure levels and associated health effects of vibration transmitted to the hand during the operation of vibrating equipment in furniture carpentry workshops.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 59 carpenters (case group) and 39 painters (control group) in Malayer city, Iran. Hand-arm vibration exposure was measured in accordance with ISO 5349. Symptoms related to hand-arm vibration were assessed via questionnaire. Vascular disorders were evaluated through the hand temperature recovery test, according to ISO 14835. Sensory function was examined using the monofilament test kit, and grip strength of the hand and fingers, as well as hand dexterity, were measured for both groups. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26).
Results: Based on the findings of the present research, the 8-hour equivalent acceleration of hand-arm vibration among carpentry workers was 2.74 ± 0.85 m/s². The most frequently reported symptoms among carpenters were hand pain, tingling, and finger pruritus, while Raynaud’s phenomenon (finger blanching) was the least frequently reported. Grip strength, finger strength, hand dexterity, and motor skills were significantly lower in the exposed group compared to the controls (P<0.05). Around 10 percent of carpenters exhibited reduced superficial tactile sensitivity. However, no significant difference was observed between the exposed and control groups in terms of vascular impairments.
Conclusion: Chronic exposure to hand-arm vibration in furniture carpentry workshops, even at levels below the permissible limit, can lead to a range of sensory-neurological, vascular, and musculoskeletal symptoms in the hand and arm region, and can adversely affect motor function in these workers.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 59 carpenters (case group) and 39 painters (control group) in Malayer city, Iran. Hand-arm vibration exposure was measured in accordance with ISO 5349. Symptoms related to hand-arm vibration were assessed via questionnaire. Vascular disorders were evaluated through the hand temperature recovery test, according to ISO 14835. Sensory function was examined using the monofilament test kit, and grip strength of the hand and fingers, as well as hand dexterity, were measured for both groups. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26).
Results: Based on the findings of the present research, the 8-hour equivalent acceleration of hand-arm vibration among carpentry workers was 2.74 ± 0.85 m/s². The most frequently reported symptoms among carpenters were hand pain, tingling, and finger pruritus, while Raynaud’s phenomenon (finger blanching) was the least frequently reported. Grip strength, finger strength, hand dexterity, and motor skills were significantly lower in the exposed group compared to the controls (P<0.05). Around 10 percent of carpenters exhibited reduced superficial tactile sensitivity. However, no significant difference was observed between the exposed and control groups in terms of vascular impairments.
Conclusion: Chronic exposure to hand-arm vibration in furniture carpentry workshops, even at levels below the permissible limit, can lead to a range of sensory-neurological, vascular, and musculoskeletal symptoms in the hand and arm region, and can adversely affect motor function in these workers.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Environmental Ergonomics
Received: 2025/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/09/1 | ePublished: 2025/09/1
Received: 2025/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/09/1 | ePublished: 2025/09/1
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
