Whole Body Vibration in Open Pit Mining - A short review

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to synthesize the scientific knowledge in order to characterize Whole Body Vibration (WBV) in open pit mining: sources, measurements methodologies and main effects on health. A review based on PRISMA Statement was done. Inclusion criteria were research on WBV in mining, published after 1990 and written in English. Thirty-three studies were included in the review. Rock drills, shovels and dumpers are strongly present in this industry. They are potential sources of workers exposure to WBV. All bibliography followed methodological recommendations of ISO 2631-1:1997. For WBV characterization routine works, individual tasks, occurrence records, pavement features, were topics consid-ered. Dumper is the equipment that can be the more dangerous; it has the highest Root Mean Square (RMS) acceleration values. Back pain is the main complaint in workers due to WBV exposure.