A comparison of ISO 2631-5:2004 and ISO 2631-5:2018 standards for whole-body vibrations exposure: A case study

Abstract

Agricultural tractor drivers are exposed to high level of vibrations during different activities. Continued exposure to Whole Body Vibration (WBV) may cause musculoskeletal disorders and degenerative changes in lumbar spine. This study analyses the WBV transmitted to drivers associated to a typical operation with agricultural tractor. This measurement was based on the models defined in ISO 2631-5:2004 and ISO 2631-5:2018. The study had been carried out in order to make a comparison between the Standards. The R factor (defined in the ISO 2631-5:2004 to estimate the lumbar spine response acceleration), and Ra factor (defined in the ISO 2631-5:2018 to estimate internal spinal forces, ISO 2631-5:2018) were calculated to predict adverse effects in the lumbar spine. In this case study both standards provide similar assessment, low probability of an adverse health effect. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019.