ปริมาณการสัมผัสความสั่นสะเทือนและการจัดการเพื่อลดการรับสัมผัสความสั่นสะเทือน ของผู้ประกอบอาชีพในประเทศไทย: การทบทวนขอบเขตวรรณกรรม

Worawan Phoochada; Thanawan Ritthichai; Sunisa Chaiklieng

Authors

Worawan Phoochada Department of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3911-9725
Thanawan Ritthichai
Sunisa Chaiklieng

Keywords:

Hand-Arm Vibration, Whole-Body Vibration, Vibration meter, Occupational Health and Safety

Abstract

Occupational workers are at risk of exposure to mechanical vibration, including both Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) and Whole-Body Vibration (WBV), which can adversely affect multiple body systems. This study aimed to scoping review exposure levels, and control measures related to mechanical vibration exposure among occupational groups in Thailand. A scoping review was conducted using Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), Google Scholar, and ThaiJo databases covering the period from 2015 to 2025. A total of 15 eligible research articles were identified (ThaiJo: 11 articles; Google Scholar: 4 articles). The findings revealed that both HAV and WBV exposure assessments were conducted using vibration meters in conjunction with musculoskeletal disorder questionnaires. Workers operating hand-held tools and heavy machinery were exposed to HAV levels ranging from 0.108 to 8.64 m/s², while vehicle operators in both the industrial and agricultural sector were exposed to WBV levels ranging from 0.147 to 7.160 m/s². Where the contact value exceeds both the Exposure Action Value (EAV) and the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) according to relevant measurement standards like ISO and the exposure monitoring value from Europe, often expressed as A(8). The most prevalent health effects were musculoskeletal disorders (34.91–80.00%), followed by neurological disorders (16.70–50.00%) and vascular disorders (17.96–40.00%). Control measures for HAV included handle wrapping material modification and anti-vibration gloves (percentage change: 21.67–29.93%), while WBV control measures included engine speed reduction (percentage change: 87.43%) and seat cushion modification (percentage change: 8.53–28.84%). Therefore, plans should be developed to assess and control vibration exposure among occupational groups at risk. This is essential to establish safety limits and monitor health in compliance with Thai labor standards.

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