Abstract
The evaluation of whole-body vibration in hand - held pneumatic tools (Rock drills) used in the Lashotor stone mines in Isfahan by the method PNEUROP CAGI (compressed air and gas institute) TEST CODE. This shows the methods for the use of construction equipment in stone mines under work circumstances. This method is designed to evaluate noise and vibration propagated by the hand – held pneumatic tools. Rock Drills are categorized as the major sources of noise and vibration by the Federal noise control Act of 1972. The paper demonstrates vibration values in three directions X, Y, Z and the three vital indices for workers while working with equipment, compared to standard graphs, produced by “Rock Drill” used in the above specified test method. This paper focuses on measurement and prediction of whole -body vibration indices in a rock drill used in stone mines using a B & K vibration meter type 2512. In order to evaluate them we had to record the whole-body acceleration on the ground where the operator was standing and processing his work. The indices include reduced comfort (RC), fatigue decreased proficiency (FDP), and exposure level (EL) for a frequency response of 1–80 Hz shown Table I. As can be seen in table I, there are high values of rms acceleration in the Z and XY axes for exposure level and fatigue decreased proficiency, respectively. All values are based in a 5-hour exposure time. Although we found high levels of vibration in different axes, the most important index in comparison with its recommended limits can be exposure level, because it is a better index weighted for human vibration in workplaces. The reduced comfort index is not recommended for occupational and industrial use.