Skutki zdrowotne narażenia pracowników na drgania mechaniczne przenoszone przez kończyny górne
Health results from the exposure to general vibrations in work environment

Summary/Abstract: According to the data provided by the National Statistical Bureau (GUS) there were 13140 workers in Poland who were exposed to mechanical vibrations. A long lasting exposure to mechanical vibrations transferred through upper limbs (hand-transmitted vibration – HTV) may lead to a higher risk of the development of vascular, nervous or musculoskeletal etiology ailments. Such a symptom complex is called a hand-arm vibration syndrome HAVS or, alternatively, a vibration sickness. In 2018 the vibration syndrome was recognized in 17 cases which means 0,8 per cent of all registered occupational illnesses in Poland.Clinical picture of the syndrome in question is non-specific and may cover either function and organic disorders. Depending on the nature of changes prevalent in the clinical picture several forms of the syndrome may be distinguished: vascular-nervous, musculoskeletal and mixed. The sickness’ development is not obvious – the first symptoms appear quite early, yet they cause little nuisance and, therefore, may be overlooked. Thus, it’s imperative to carefully monitor work environment parameters and to employ prevention methods, both on technical and legally agreeable research level within the scope of occupational medicine towards workers exposed to mechanical vibration.

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