Vibration: General

person using a drill to secure a tire on a car, experiencing vibration through their hand and arms from the drill.

What is Vibration?

Vibration is a mechanical form of energy produced when an object moves back and forth repeatedly (i.e. oscillation). Vibration travels from an object such as a piece of equipment, hand tool, vehicle, or standing work surface into the body. Not all vibration is bad. It depends on the:

magnitude (level) of vibration,
body area that is exposed (i.e. hands, feet, or whole body), and
amount of time you are exposed to vibration throughout the workday.

Icon showing squiggly lines that represent vibration

Vibration Exposures

Vibration can enter the body at any point where the body (i.e. hands, feet, or torso) is in contact with the vibrating surface. There are three main types of exposures, which are classified based on the body region that is in contact with the vibrating surface.

Health Risks

Vibration can cause damage to the nerves, blood vessels, and can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (i.e. back pain). Each body region can tolerate different vibration frequencies. The frequencies which are known to increase risk of injury and MSD are called resonant frequencies.

Types of Vibration Exposures

Body Region	Common Exposures	Primary Concerns
Hand-Arm Image	Using a hand-held power tool Using hand guided equipment Operating vibrating machinery	Blood vessel and nerve damage (i.e. loss of feeling) Symptoms include: Numbness and tingling where the body makes contact with the tool Loss of blood flow (i.e. finger whitening or blanching) Weak grip and decreased manual dexterity (fine motor control, ex. can't do up a button)
Foot Image	Standing on a vibrating platform Using a foot pedal on vibrating equipment
Whole-Body Image	Sitting in a vibrating vehicle or machinery	MSD - Back pain Symptoms include: Lower back, shoulder, or neck pain (increased MSD risk) Headaches, dizziness, motion sickness Decreased cognitive function and reduced vigilance

Body Region

Common Exposures

Primary Concerns

Hand-Arm

Using a hand-held power tool
Using hand guided equipment
Operating vibrating machinery

Blood vessel and nerve damage (i.e. loss of feeling)

Symptoms include:

Numbness and tingling where the body makes contact with the tool
Loss of blood flow (i.e. finger whitening or blanching)
Weak grip and decreased manual dexterity (fine motor control, ex. can't do up a button)

Foot

mannequin standing on a vibrating platform

Standing on a vibrating platform
Using a foot pedal on vibrating equipment

Whole-Body

mannequin sitting in a vibrating vehicle seat

Sitting in a vibrating vehicle or machinery

MSD - Back pain

Symptoms include:

Lower back, shoulder, or neck pain (increased MSD risk)
Headaches, dizziness, motion sickness
Decreased cognitive function and reduced vigilance

MSD risk increases with vibration exposure and cold temperatures. All exposure types increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

This resource was created in collaboration with the Center for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH). CROSH is a research center within the Ontario Health and Safety System based out of Laurentian University with expertise in vibration. [ask CROSH to review/edit the short description]

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