Whole-body vibration in mining equipment-a short review

Abstract

Whole body vibration is one of the most common occupational hazards in the mining industry due to the use of heavy earth-moving equipment and other machinery. A systematic review was carried in order to determine which equipment contribute the most to the operator's occupational exposure, using for that a combination of seven keywords. The main results found showed that compactors were the equipment with higher acceleration values, followed by blast-hole machines and load-hauldumpers. Despite the primary results, studies should be performed in order to better understand this issue, including variables such as performed task, equipment velocity, among others.