PureMotion Brochure - Linde Material Handling - #9

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Occupational physicians have been aware of the problems caused by human vibrations for a considerable time. A protection ordinance is now in force in many parts of the EU. This ordinance extends way beyond the previous technical standard (DIN EN 13059) and demands that you, as an operator, measure the vibrations that typically occur when an employee is working under realistic conditions. You are now obliged to – measure vibrations on a typical route – and take the operating time into account. A close eye must be kept on two values: 1. The trigger threshold (0.5 m/s2): When this value is exceeded, the responsible parties must take preventative measures, inform the employee about the risk to which he is exposed, brief him accordingly and give him the opportunity to have health checks. 2. The exposure threshold (1.15 m/s2 – Z-axis 0.8 m/s2): If this threshold is exceeded, you must take immediate measures to protect the employee – this may even include signifi cantly restricting work with the fork lift truck. Establish the causes Although the vibration value specifi ed in DIN EN 13059 is currently published in all fork lift truck operating instructions, it provides no information on whether either of these threshold values is exceeded in practical use. In actual day-to-day operation, a number of factors signifi cantly affect whether these values are respected: – Sitting position – Weight of the driver – Tyres – Speed – Condition of the driving surface Measures can be taken on the basis of these factors. The most important variable, however, is the fork lift truck itself. You now have an obligation. Trigger threshold 0.5 m/s2 Exposure threshold 1.15 m/s2 Work ban Implement urgent measures once identifi ed Risk assessment Minimisation measures required Introduction of preventive measures Health monitoring requirement Instruction/briefi ng of employee i STOP