CASE STUDY ON HAV AND WBV ON AGRICULTURAL TRACTOR DRIVERS
Herbert Martins Gomes1; Tarciso Richter2
1 UFRGS; 2 Maxiforja
doi:10.20906/CPS/COB-2015-0026
Resumo
This work aims at assessing the exposed vibration levels in agricultural tractor drivers in normal working conditions on soybean crops in the southern Brazil. The evaluated work situations are driving on unpaved terrain, driving on a paved road (asphalt) and driving in planting operation. The vibration measurement is evaluated using accelerometers in contact parts of the driver with the vehicle. A vibration meter is used to measure the vibration levels in the steering wheel (hand-arm vibration HAV), and driver's seat, seat back and floor (whole body vibration (WBV). In addition, it is evaluated the daily exposure to vibration A (8) in normal working situations and it is compared with daily exposure threshold set by standards. The lowest acceleration level in WBV was de 0,725 m/s² occurring in the seat back on asphalt. The higher acceleration level in HAV was 5,914 m/s² occurring at the same conditions. The study suggests checking the vibration levels in other activities such as harvesting since in the evaluated situation the driver is exposed to harmful vibration.
Palavras-chave: : whole body vibration; hand arm vibration; vibration exposure in tractors