Mohsen Aliabadi, Ramin Rahmani, Maryam Farhadian, Seyed Ghavameddin Attari, Hadi Aeini,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Objectives: In the furniture industry, workers operating woodworking machinery are exposed to hand-arm vibration (HAV). The present study aimed to assess the occupational exposure levels and associated health effects of vibration transmitted to the hand during operation of vibrating equipment in furniture carpentry workshops.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted with 59 carpenters (case group) and 39 painters (control group) in Malayer city. Hand-arm vibration exposure was measured following ISO 5349. Symptoms related to hand-arm vibration were assessed via questionnaire. Vascular disorders were evaluated by hand temperature recovery test according to ISO 14835, sensory function was examined using the monofilament kit, grip strength of the hand and fingers, and dexterity were also measured for both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Results: 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 reported. Grip strength, finger strength, hand dexterity, and motor skills were significantly lower in the exposed group compared to controls (p < 0.05). Ten percent of carpenters exhibited decreased superficial tactile sensitivity. However, no significant difference was observed between the exposed and control groups regarding 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 adversely affect motor function in these workers.
