ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the level of occupational exposure to whole body vibration( WBV) in a hydroelectric power station,and evaluate its effects on workers' health. METHODS: A hydroelectric power station in Hangzhou City was chosen as study subject by using judgment sampling method. The level of WBV exposure to workers and high vibration level areas were measured,and the vibration frequency was analyzed. The comfort and allowing duration of occupational exposure in WBV exposed workers was evaluated. RESULTS: The median root-mean-square of accelerometer acceleration of WBV exposure in generator floor,turbines-floor,middle-floor,hydraulic floor of the hydroelectric power station were 0. 894,0. 995,1. 095 and 0. 904 m/s~2,respectively. The central frequency of WBV in this station was 1. 25 Hz. Among the 105 monitoring spots,8. 6% of WBV exposed workers of the spots did not perceive or feel uncomfortable,but 91. 4%of them felt uncomfortable or very uncomfortable. Only 12. 4% of the WBV exposed workers tolerated more than 8 hours of WBV occupational exposure. CONCLUSION: There is an occupational hazard of WBV in this hydroelectric power station.The low frequency vibration with central frequency below 1. 25 Hz is the key control point of the WBV of this hydroelectric power station.