Influence of Hand Arm Vibrations on Operator’s Physiological Parameters and its Attenuation in Power Weeder

The study deals with the experimentation on 3.7 kW and 4.8 kW power weeder at three engine speeds (1900, 2300 and 2700 rpm) and two loads to assess the impact on operator’s heart rate, blood pressure, discomfort score of operator, vibration intensity in x, y and z axis and tendency of occurrence of white finger syndrome. The results were presented in terms of ISO recommended exposure action value (EAV) and exposure limit value (ELV). The results revealed that maximum average root mean square (aRMS) vibration of 8.06 m/s² at 2700 rpm with 3.7 kW power weeder was beyond the safe exposure level and operators were prone to neurological and musculoskeletal injuries. A projection of the data leads to the occurrence of white finger syndrome at 4.06 years. The intervention resulted in the reduction in heart rate by 19.82%, systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 7.16% and 6.95%, BPDS 13.46%, ODS 42.02%, aRMS 51.0%, and increase in EAV by 116.0%, ELV 324.3% and PWFS 335.2%, respectively. The intervention resulted in the delay of the occurrence of white finger syndrome by 5.74 years. The study can be instrumental in protecting the operator of power weeder and improving the efficiency of weeding operation.