A Comparison of Forklift Operator Whole-Body Vibration Exposures When Operating Forklifts with and Without a Mast Damping System

Forklift operators are frequently exposed to a high level of whole-body vibration (WBV), a leading risk factor for low back pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a mast damping system of forklift was effective in reducing forklift operators’ WBV exposures compared to forklifts without mast damping systems. The results showed that the forklifts with the mast damping system significantly reduced the 8-h normalized weighted average vibration [A(8)] at the floor and seat level. While the mast damping system significantly reduced vibration dose value [VDV(8)] at the forklift floor, it had a limited effect on the seat-measured VDV(8) exposures. The study findings indicate that a mast damping system may have potential to reduce forklift operators’ WBV exposures. However, given the differences in the seat-measured A(8) and VDV(8) exposures between forklifts, more rigorous evaluations of the forklift and seat suspensions may be merited.