Distributed vibration power absorption of the human hand-arm system in different postures coupled with vibrating handle and power tools

Abstract This study presents vibration power absorption (VPA) of different hand-arm substructures in the bent-arm and extended arm postures excited by broadband random and power tool vibrations. VPAs are estimated using biomechanical models of the hand-arm system derived from both the driving-point mechanical impedance and distributed vibration transmissibility. VPAs due to the vibrations of selected hand-held power tools are also estimated. The results show that distributed VPAs of the arms are greater below 25 Hz than those of the hand (fingers and palm) for both postures, while the hand VPAs are greater above 100 Hz, although the values are smaller than those below 25 Hz. The power absorbed during the extended arm posture is about 2.5 times greater than the power absorbed with the bent-arm posture for similar hand forces and vibration magnitude. Similar trends are observed in distributed VPAs due to broadband random as well as typical tool excitations, while the VPA due to tool vibration revealed peaks near the operating frequencies of the power tools and their harmonics. Furthermore, the percentage of power absorbed in different hand-arm substructures was dependent on the operating speed of the power tools, the higher the operating speed the higher the power absorbed in the hand and vice versa. The results showed relatively lower VPA values in the fingers and palm in the 60–160 Hz range than those obtained for the arms in the 5–16 Hz range. The study revealed the need for different frequency weightings for assessment of potential injury risk of different hand-arm substructures. Relevance to industry Operators of hand-held power tools are exposed to hand-transmitted vibration and the associated potential injuries. This study showed that the extended arm posture should be avoided when operating hand-held power tools because large vibration power is absorbed in the human hand-arm system, which may cause hand-arm injury.

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