Solutions to reduce risks of construction vibration during the construction process

It is expected that construction vibration risk seriously affects occupational safety and the quality of equipment and products. Therefore, there is a need to thoroughly understand this type of risk. In writing below, BMB Steel is going to discuss construction vibration, its consequences, and solutions to deal with it. 

1. How can construction vibration affect workers on construction sites?

Research has shown that construction vibration is common and can cause severe damage. According to statistics, 21% of workers exposed to construction vibration suffer from several symptoms, ranging from slightly severe to extremely severe.

Workers can suffer from several diseases such as back pain, headache, or fracture if they are exposed to construction vibration in terms of arms and legs. In the case that the vibration is extreme, their body functions, such as providing oxygen or nutrients, can be constrained. There can be risks of cell necrosis or death of cells when less and less oxygen and other nutrients are provided to the body. 

Who are the ones affected by construction vibration?

Whoever works in the construction industry can be exposed to construction vibration and have their health deteriorated by it. Particularly, workers who work regularly with manual electrical devices such as electric machines and hydraulic breakers are prone to injury. Jobs involving using tools such as hammers, nail guns, or rotary tools for a long time can lead to some diseases such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, tendinitis, and so on. 

It is irrefutable that the risk of construction vibration is extremely serious and should be put into consideration by all enterprises and construction owners.

2. Some risks derived from construction vibration

2.1 Risk of local construction vibration

The risk of local construction vibration can be caused when workers’ arms or shoulders are affected by local vibration, and then the vibration is transmitted to the fingers and wrists. In this situation, workers will suffer from below symptoms:

Itching, numbness

This symptom causes pain in the hand, arm, shoulders, and neck. If they continue working, workers may suffer from extreme pain and cannot hold tight equipment on their hands.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This syndrome may affect the median nerve in the wrists, which can make the hands weak and cause pain. If workers are exposed to vibration for a long time, they can suffer from this syndrome.

2.2  Risk of body vibration

Exposing the whole body to the construction vibration can negatively affect many body parts. Workers can suffer from below syndromes:

• Joints pain and aches
• Body aches
• Skin and eye irritation
• Difficulty sleeping, even insomnia
• Headache and feeling uncomfortable with everything

Most workers do not take these symptoms very seriously. Therefore, in the long term, it can cause health to deteriorate significantly.

3. How to evaluate the risk of construction vibration and reduce it?

In order to come up with measures to reduce the risk of construction vibration, companies need to evaluate the risks each work can cause on the construction sites.

3.1 Evaluating risks

• Determining the location where lies vibration risks.
• Coming up with measures that help reduce vibration risks by using equipment that is safe and suitable for construction workers. 
• Evaluating all tasks being performed, machines and equipment operating, and their vibration level.

3.2 Reducing construction vibration risk

• Thoroughly training the workers on how to use the machines properly and adjust appropriate vibration levels to ensure safety.
• Regularly check equipment and machines, steel structure fabrication ensuring that they are operating effectively and there are no mistakes to avoid strong vibration.
• Using soft rubber hand tools to control the speed quickly and avoid using electrical tools when working with heavy materials such as concrete.
• Allowing workers to relax and take a break after working for a long time and warning them from relaxing next to vibration machines.
• Increasing the distance between vibration machines and having appropriate methods to prevent vibration transmission between different sources. 

Evaluating the risk is significantly important because it helps companies to avoid risks of construction vibration in building pre engineered steel building or pre fabricated building. Save this information in the BMB Steel's post for your company to ensure occupational safety as well as the quality of the constructions.