Investigation on hand-arm damages symptoms and vibration exposure level among workers exposed to hand-arm vibration

Objective The hand-arm vibration levels was measured and the prevalence of hand-arm damages and potential affecting factors in workers exposed to hand-arm vibration in a new manufacture factory were surveyed. Methods Workers exposed to hand-arm vibration were selected as study subjects in current study. The vibration levels and cold water rewarming rate were measured. Workers were interviewed for their healthy status,upper limb symptoms and occupational history information. The correlation between hypertension,hypertension family history,body mass index and cold water rewarming rate were analyzed respectively. The correlation between hypertension,hypertension family history,body mass index and upper limb symptoms positive rate were analyzed respectively, too. Results The average vibration level A(4) was 4.28-15.09(7.97 ±3.04)m/s², and the general occurrence rate of upper limb damages was 81.3%. The abnormal cold water rewarming rate was 77.5%. After adjusted by age,smoking and alcohol,the odds ratio(OR)and its 95% CI between hypertension,hypertension family history, body mass index and abnormal cold water rewarming ratio were 1.12(0.60-5.79), 0.84(0.20-3.10)and 0.64(0.36-3.56), respectively. The OR and its 95% CI between hypertension,hypertension family history,body mass index and upper limb impairment were 1.80(0.86-7.19),1.02(0.77-4.81) and 0.75(0.68-5.27), respectively. Conclusion The hazard of hand-arm vibration in the factory was severe. The correlation between hypertension, hypertension family history,body mass index and upper limb impairment has not been found in current study yet.