期刊名称：Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine
印刷版ISSN：1232-1966
电子版ISSN：1898-2263
出版年度：2014
卷号：21
期号：1
页码：174-178
出版社：Institute of Agricultural Medicine in Lublin
摘要：Introduction. Woodcutters’ working conditions are difficult due to the presence of numerous occupational hazards. Petrol–fuelled chain saws commonly used in forestry produce vibration, which may lead to the development of non-specificdisorders in the upper extremities of the chain saw operator, referred to as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Themagnitude of coupling forces exerted on a vibrating tool handle may affect the severity of HAVS and hand-wrist cumulativetrauma disorders. The aim of the presented study was to measure coupling forces exerted by fellers on various chain sawsand to find correlation between force magnitude and type of tool used.Material and methods. Coupling forces applied by workers on different types of chain saws were measured by means ofa hydro-electronic force meter. All measurements were carried out during the harvesting of wood in real work conditions.Results. Mean force applied by forestry workers on their tools was 44.2 N. Coupling forces registered during cutting woodwith small universal chain saws were larger than forces exerted on models characterized by higher power profile. Forcesapplied on comparable tools produced by various manufacturers also differed.Conclusions. The relationship between coupling forces and power of the chain saw should lead to ergonomic improvementsof the tool and vibration-reducing devices. These results can also be used as a recommendation for fellers in a range ofusing proper machines for different types of cut or types of wood. They may also be applicable to develop more effectivemethods for assessing vibration exposure risks among woodcutters
关键词：Coupling forces; woodcutters; chain saw; force measurement
