Citation

Greenslade E, Larsson TJ. Safety Sci. 1997; 25(1-3): 143-152.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Vibrating hand-held grinding, sanding and polishing tools (GSP) are used in production processes to control surface finish and quality. Their use has been associated with vibration disease for half a century, and may result in damage to the vascular, sensory or musculoskeletal systems. Few GSP manufacturers have addressed the problem of vibration in their products, with most of the grinders on the market only suitable for daily exposure of up to one hour. Observations and discussions in Swedish industry suggest that more controlled and consistent production processes are likely to remove, or reduce, the need for post-production quality control using GSP tools. As the production requirement for this operation is reduced, the duration of the operator's exposure to vibration will also be lessened. Where an elimination of the problem cannot yet be achieved through production quality improvements, better tool design may help to reduce some of the vibration transmitted to the operator. The relatively recent availability on the market of a grinder with an automatic balancing device, as well as the development of antivibration grinders, less vibration prone grinding wheels, and more effective antivibration handles and gloves, may lead to a reduced incidence of vibration disease.