Mining Sidebar

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is common for operators of many different kinds of vehicles including:

  • tractors / farm vehicles
  • tractor trailers
  • earth moving vehicles
  • forklifts / cranes
  • motorcycles / ATVs
  • aircraft / boats

The illustration below shows how various vibration frequencies affect different parts of the body when exposed to WBV. 

Illustration of effect of jarring impact and vibration on mining workers

NIOSH studies show that an ergonomic seat designed using a combination of SunMate and Pudgee reduced the frequency level in a mining shuttle car from 15Hz to 4Hz.

Source: HSA Bulletin, April 1998