Raynaud's phenomenon in the occupational context.

OBJECTIVE: To review articles that evaluated the prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon of occupational origin. METHODS: The search for articles was carried out in the Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Latin America and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (Lilacs) databases. RESULTS: 64 articles were obtained from the electronic search; 18 articles met the eligibility criteria. All studies discussed the exposure to vibrations in the upper limbs. In 6 of them, the thermal issue was directly or indirectly addressed. No studies have addressed exposure to vinyl chloride. CONCLUSIO: In general, a higher prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon was found among vibratory tool operators compared to non-exposed workers, with an increase in the number of cases the higher the level of vibration and the time of exposure. Cold is a triggering and aggravating factor of the Raynaud phenomenon and seems to play an important role in the emergence of vascular manifestations of the hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Raynaud's phenomenon in the occupational context

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To review articles that evaluated the prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon of occupational origin. METHODS The search for articles was carried out in the Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Latin America and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (Lilacs) databases. RESULTS 64 articles were obtained from the electronic search; 18 articles met the eligibility criteria. All studies discussed the exposure to vibrations in the upper limbs. In 6 of them, the thermal issue was directly or indirectly addressed. No studies have addressed exposure to vinyl chloride. CONCLUSIO In general, a higher prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon was found among vibratory tool operators compared to non-exposed workers, with an increase in the number of cases the higher the level of vibration and the time of exposure. Cold is a triggering and aggravating factor of the Raynaud phenomenon and seems to play an important role in the emergence of vascular manifestations of the hand-arm vibration syndrome.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Realizar um estudo de revisão dos artigos que avaliaram a prevalência do fenômeno de Raynaud de origem ocupacional. MÉTODOS A busca pelos artigos foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO) e Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs). RESULTADOS Sessenta e quatro artigos foram obtidos a partir da busca eletrônica, dos quais 18 cumpriram os critérios de elegibilidade. Todos os estudos discutiram sobre a exposição a vibrações localizadas em membros superiores. Em seis deles, a questão térmica foi direta ou indiretamente abordada. Nenhum estudo abordou a exposição ao cloreto de vinila. CONCLUSÃO De maneira geral, constatou-se maior prevalência do fenômeno de Raynaud entre operadores de ferramentas vibratórias em comparação aos não expostos, com aumento do número de casos quanto maior o nível de vibração e tempo de exposição. O frio é fator desencadeante e agravante do fenômeno de Raynaud e parece exercer papel importante para o surgimento das manifestações vasculares da síndrome de vibração de mãos e braços.

Herramientas manuales vibrátiles y guantes anti-vibrátiles / Vibrating hand tools and anti-vibrating gloves

OBJETIVO: Determinar el impacto causado por el tipo de herramienta y tipo de guante sobre la transmisibilidad de la vibración mano-brazo. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un diseño experimental a trabajadores del sector de hidrocarburos, con el objetivo de identificar la transmisibilidad global de los guantes en diferentes actividades. Las mediciones se realizaron a través de dos acelerómetros: uno instalado en la máquina y otro en la palma de la mano. La transmisibilidad fue calculada en el rango de frecuencias 0-2 kHz, para cinco tipos de herramientas y 3 tipos de guantes. Finalmente, se compararon los tiempos de exposición a los que puede estar expuesto el trabajador con el uso de los guantes. RESULTADOS: Se identificó la efectividad de los guantes para proteger a los operarios, permitiéndoles trabajar un mayor número de horas por día. El análisis estadístico evidencia que la variable tipo de herramienta tiene un efecto significativo sobre la transmisibilidad, mientras que el tipo de guante no presenta efecto estadístico alguno. El estudio presenta los porcentajes de aumento de tiempos de exposición y el estudio de las transmisibilidades. CONCLUSIONES: Los tres tipos de guantes evaluados mostraron tener un desempeño eficaz como atenuadores de la vibración. El aumento del tiempo de exposición permitido al usar guantes es muy significativo para todas las herramientas.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the impact caused by the type of tool and type of glove on the transmissibility of the hand-arm vibration. METHODS: An experimental design was carried out for workers in the hydrocarbon sector, in order to identify the global transmissibility of gloves in different activities. The measurements were made through two accelerometers: one installed in the machine and the other in the palm of the hand. The transmissibility was calculated in the fre quency range 0-2 kHz, for five types of tools and 3 types of gloves. Finally, the exposure times to which the worker may be exposed with the use of gloves were compared. RESULTS: The effectiveness of the gloves was identified to protect the workers, allowing them to work a greater number of hours per day. The statistical analysis shows that the variable type of tool has a significant effect on transmissibility, while the type of glove does not have any statistical effect. The study presents the percentages of increase in exposure times and the study of transmissibilities. CONCLUSIONS: The three types of gloves evaluated showed an effec tive performance as vibration attenuators. The increase of the expo sure time allowed when wearing gloves is very significant for all tools.

Síndrome vibratorio mano-brazo: revisión literaria / Hand-arm vibratory syndrome: literary review

Resumen El síndrome vibratorio mano-brazo forma parte de la categoría de enfermedades ocupacionales o asociadas al trabajo, específicamente aquellos trabajos manuales en los que se utilicen herramientas vibratorias, como taladros, moledoras, martillos neumáticos, sierras y cualquier otra que transmita energía vibratoria directamente a la mano y brazo del trabajador. La descripción de los primeros casos de este síndrome tuvo lugar hace ya más de un siglo, y con el desarrollo industrial se volvió progresivamente, en una entidad más importante en cuanto a la discapacidad y la pérdida de calidad de vida que genera en los pacientes, así como las pérdidas económicas y de horas laborales que produce a nivel mundial, en especial en los países más desarrollados en donde su prevalencia es notablemente mayor. En el presente artículo se ha realizado una revisión literaria acerca de los principales signos y síntomas de esta enfermedad, su clasificación, fisiopatología y métodos de diagnóstico. También se abordarán los mecanismos de prevención así como el pronóstico y evolución de los pacientes una vez han sido diagnosticados.

Abstract Hand-arm vibration syndrome is part of the occupational or work-related illness category, specifically those manual workers using vibratory tools such as drills, grinders, pneumatic hammers, saws and any other tool that transmits vibratory energy directly to the Hand and arm of the worker. The description of the first cases of this syndrome took place more than a century ago, and with the industrial development it became progressively, in a more important entity as far as the disability and the loss of quality of life that generates in the patients, As well as the economic losses and hours of work that it produces worldwide, especially in the more developed countries where its prevalence is significantly higher. In this article a literary review has been carried out on the main signs and symptoms of this disease, its classification, pathophysiology and diagnostic methods. The mechanisms of prevention as well as the prognosis and evolution of the patients once they have been diagnosed will also be addressed.

Assessment of hand-transmitted vibration exposure from motorized forks used for beach-cleaning operations.

UNLABELLED: Motorized vibrating manure forks were used in beach-cleaning operations following the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico during the summer of 2010. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to characterize the vibration emissions of these motorized forks and to provide a first approximation of hand-transmitted vibration exposures to workers using these forks for beach cleaning. METHODS: Eight operators were recruited to operate the motorized forks during this laboratory study. Four fork configurations were used in the study; two motor speeds and two fork basket options were evaluated. Accelerations were measured near each hand as the operators completed the simulated beach-cleaning task. RESULTS: The dominant vibration frequency for these tools was identified to be around 20 Hz. Because acceleration was found to increase with motor speed, workers should consider operating these tools with just enough speed to get the job done. These forks exhibited considerable acceleration magnitudes when unloaded. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that the motor should not be operated with the fork in the unloaded state. Anti-vibration gloves are not effective at attenuating the vibration frequencies produced by these forks, and they may even amplify the transmitted vibration and increase hand/arm fatigue. While regular work gloves are suitable, vibration-reducing gloves may not be appropriate for use with these tools. These considerations may also be generally applicable for the use of motorized forks in other workplace environments.