THE ASSESSMENT OF VIBRATION EXPOSURE AND LOW BACK PAIN AMONG VIBRATORY HAMMER PILE DRIVERS IN THE BANK PROTECTION DAM CONSTRUCTION, PHRA NAKHONSI AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE

Abstract

          The aims of this study are to assess vibration exposure and low back pain among Vibratory Hammer Pile Drivers in The Bank Protection Dam Construction, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. The cross-sectional design study was carried out on 15 Vibratory Hammer Pile Drivers were purposively selected with the inclusion criteria, including the willingness to participate in the research, drive Vibratory Hammer Pile during the study period and without musculoskeletal disorders. The tools used for General info of the respondents Questionnaire, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) for the low back pain and vibration Meter. Analysis revealed that the average age of these participants was 43 (S.D. 10.62) years. The average body weight was 68 (S.D. 6.6) kilograms. The average working time 8 hours per day. The average continuous work hours per day was 4.6 (S.D.1.18) hours. The average experience of the Vibratory Hammer Pile Drivers was 15.87 (S.D. 9.87) years. The results showed that Vibratory Hammer Pile Drivers exposed to vibration levels exceeded the ISO 2631-1-1997 (0.5m/s2) 13 subjects (86.67%). The participants had Low Back Pain (LBP) last seven days that two subjects (13.33%) had moderate pain, and five subjects (33.33%) had severe pain, Eight subjects had LBP during the last twelve months that two subjects (13.33%) had severe pain, and six subjects (40%) had moderate pain. The results suggest that the Vibratory Hammer Pile Drivers may have health, injury, in long term, there the need for action to reduce exposure and health surveillance of the Vibratory Hammer Pile Drivers exposed to harmful levels of vibration.