Phase-based evaluation of whole-body vibration exposure for hydraulic excavator operators

Hydraulic excavator operators' whole-body vibration exposure was studied with the guidelines set by several approaches. The most jolty and quiet phases were FORWARD and WAIT, respectively. Vibration magnitudes were inversely proportional to bucket capacity. Excavator service year and vibration exposure were positively correlated. Younger operators were exposed to higher levels of vibration. Vibration acceleration was negatively correlated to operator experience. Handling of large-sized rocks resulted in more vibration than soillike material. The most conservative method in estimating the hazard potential was the ISO 2631-1 'vector sum' while the probability of an adverse health effect was generally low according to the ISO 2631-5.