To quantify the effect of frequency-range-specific hand–arm vibration (FRS-HAV) exposure on the risk of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb (UMSDs), we performed an analysis among the study sample of the German Hand–Arm Vibration Study. In total, 206 cases and 609 controls were included in this analysis. Cases were new patients with UMSDs. Controls were a random sample of people with compensable occupational injuries. Standardized personal interviews were performed among cases and controls. In addition to leisure activities and comorbidities, detailed work histories were obtained from all participants. To quantify FRS-HAV exposures, a database of vibration measurements of over 700 power tools was used. This database allows detailed quantification of vibration exposure over long periods of time. A dose–response relationship between FRS-HAV exposure and UMSDs was quantified using conditional logistic regression analyses. After adjustment for relevant confounders, consistent and statistically significant exposure–response relationships were observed between cumulative vibration exposure and UMSDs. The effect of vibration exposure on the risk of UMSDs is mainly concentrated in the frequency range ≤ 50 Hz. This suggests that the current ISO frequency-weighting curve for quantifying hand–arm vibration exposure is reasonable and can be used for vibration-related risk assessment, especially for musculoskeletal disorders.

Objective. To quantify the exposure-response relationship between hand-arm vibration exposure and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities (UMSDs), a case-control study was carried out among workers in the construction, mining, metal and woodworking industries. Methods. In total, 209 male cases and 614 controls were recruited. Cases were newly reported patients with UMSDs. Controls were a random sample of persons with compensable occupational injuries. Standardized personal interviews were performed among cases and controls by well-trained safety engineers. In addition to leisure activities and comorbidities, work histories of all participants were collected in detail. To quantify hand-arm vibration exposures, a database of vibration measurements of over 700 power tools was used. This database allows the detailed quantification of vibration exposures over time. A dose-response relationship between hand-arm vibration exposure and UMSDs was quantified by conditional logistic regression analyses. Results and conclusions. After adjusting for relevant confounders, statistically significant exposure-response relationships between cumulative hand-arm vibration exposure and UMSDs were established. A cumulative hand-arm vibration exposure of Dhv (vibration total value in three measuring directions) = 142,300 (95% confidence interval [CI] [90,600-333,200]) m2/s4 center dot day or Dhw (vibration value in the direction along the forearm) = 38,700 (95% CI [25,400-80,900]) m2/s4 center dot day is associated with a doubled risk of UMSDs.

Hand-arm vibration dose and work-related requirements for occupational disease no. 2103 – An epidemiological case-control study Background: An epidemiological case-control study of dose-effect relationships between hand-arm vibration exposure and musculoskeletal disorders of occupational disease no. 2103 (BK 2103) was carried out in order to provide evidence-based recommendations for the recognition of BK 2103. Methods: Male cases and controls were recruited and standardised personal interviews were conducted between 1 January 2010 and 30 November 2021. In addition to leisure activities and comorbidities, work histories regarding the use of hand-operated and hand-held technical tools that can induce hand-arm vibrations were recorded in detail. To quantify the individual vibration exposure, a database of industrial hygiene measurements of vibration values of over 700 technical power tools was established (vibration register). The vibration measurements recorded in the database allows quantification of the daily dose and lifetime dose of the vibration exposure. The dose-effect relationships between hand-arm vibration exposure and musculoskeletal disorders as defined by BK 2103 were quantified for the various dose models using conditional logistic regression analyses. Results: In total, 209 cases and 614 controls were recruited. Compared to controls, cases suffered more frequently from gout, arm fractures, hip osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, spinal osteoarthritis and trauma injuries or inflammatory conditions of the finger, elbow and shoulder joints. After adjusting for relevant confounders, the study analyses demonstrate consistent and statistically significant dose-effect relationships between hand-arm vibration exposure and musculoskeletal disorders as defined by BK 2103. A vibration dose of Dhv = 142.331 m2/s4 x day or Dhw = 38.724 m2/s4 x day is associated with a doubling of the risk of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities as defined by BK 2103. Conclusions: These dose values serve as a guide and could also be applied in an assessment of the work-related requirements for the recognition of BK 2103. Sensitivity analyses indicate that an exposure duration with a defined threshold daily dose is not suitable for guiding the recognition of BK 2103. Keywords: hand-arm vibration – musculoskeletal disorders – dose-effect relationship – epidemiology – risk-doubling dose

In an epidemiological case-control study, exposure-response relationship between hand-arm vibration exposure and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper extremities were examined among 209 male cases and 614 controls in the German construction, mining, metal, and wood-working industries. To quantify individual vibration exposures, a database of industrial hygiene measurements of over 700 power tools was established. In addition, individual work histories were collected in detail. The dose-response relationships between hand-arm vibration exposure and the risk of MSDs were quantified based on multivariable logistic regression analysis. After adjusting for relevant confounders, statistically significant dose-response relationships between cumulative hand-arm vibration exposure doses and MSDs of the upper extremities could be established.