CEN/TR 15172-1:2005

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2006
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Whole-body vibration - Guidelines for vibration hazards reduction - Part 1: Engineering
methods by design of machinery
Ganzkörper-Schwingungen - Leitfaden zur Verringerung der Gefährdung durch
Schwingungen - Teil 1: Technische Maßnahmen durch die Gestaltung von Maschinen
Vibrations globales du corps - Guide pour la réduction des risques de vibrations - Partie
1: Mesures techniques lors de la conception des machines
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 15172-1:2005
ICS:
13.160 Vpliv vibracij in udarcev na Vibration and shock with
ljudi respect to human beings
21.020 =QDþLOQRVWLLQQDþUWRYDQMH Characteristics and design of
VWURMHYDSDUDWRYRSUHPH machines, apparatus,
equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 15172-1
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
November 2005
ICS 13.160; 17.160
English Version
Whole-body vibration - Guidelines for vibration hazards
reduction - Part 1: Engineering methods by design of machinery
Vibrations globales du corps - Guide pour la réduction des Ganzkörper-Schwingungen - Leitfaden zur Verringerung der
risques de vibrations - Partie 1: Mesures techniques lors de Gefährdung durch Schwingungen - Teil 1: Technische
la conception des machines Maßnahmen durch die Gestaltung von Maschinen
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 25 July 2005. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 231.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 15172-1:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3
Introduction.4
1 Scope .5
2 Identification of main sources and operational modes producing vibration that might be
hazardous to health .5

2.1 Identification of main sources and operational modes.5
2.2 Factors that can combine with vibration to increase the likelihood of injury .6
3 Reduction of vibration at source .6
3.1 Travelling on uneven surfaces.6
3.2 Operating of working equipment (tools) .7
3.3 Information from the manufacturer on the use of tools and accessories .7
3.4 Vibrating tools mounted to the machinery.7
3.5 Engine.8
4 Reduction of transmission of vibration from source to the operator .8
4.1 General .8
4.2 Wheel size and tyres.9
4.3 Low-frequency wheel and chassis suspension.10
4.4 Low-frequency cab suspension.10
4.5 Seat suspension and seat design.11
5 Elimination of incorrect posture .11
5.1 General .11
5.2 Improving external cab visibility.12
5.3 Design of cab adapted to the operator dimension and task.13
5.4 Selection of seats adapted to the machine and task.14
6 Summary of questions to be considered when evaluating the design of mobile machinery
in view of protecting operator’s safety and health.15
6.1 General .15
6.2 Visibility .15
6.3 Cabin construction .15
6.4 Selection of seat.16
Annex A (informative) Vibration isolation.17
Bibliography.22

Foreword
This Technical Report (CEN/TR 15172-1:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 231
“Mechanical vibration and shock”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
CEN/TR 15172 consists of the following parts:
CEN/TR 15172-1, Whole-body vibration — Guidelines for vibration hazards reduction — Part 1: Engineering
methods by design of machinery
CEN/TR 15172-2, Whole-body vibration — Guidelines for vibration hazards reduction — Part 2: Management
measures at the workplace
Introduction
This Technical Report deals with engineering methods for design of machinery transmitting vibration to the
human body. Guidance on management measures at the workplace is given in CEN/TR 15172-2.
Significant whole-body vibration is mainly related to operators of mobile machinery. Mobile machinery
transmits vibration and shock from the seat for seated operators, from the floor for standing operators, which
may cause adverse health effects, primarily damage to the spine. The effects of vibration depend on its
frequency, direction, intensity, presence of shocks and on the exposure time. They also depend on the
operator's posture. It is important to understand that the design and manufacture of mobile machinery is
complex, requiring extensive technical background.
The EC Directive 98/37/EC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to machinery
(Machinery Directive), amended by Directive 98/79/EC, requires that the machinery is so designed and
constructed that risks resulting from vibration produced by the machinery are reduced to the lowest level,
taking account of technical progress and the availability of means of reducing vibration, in particular at source.
Limiting vibration by design is one of the measures that EN ISO 12100-2 suggests machine manufacturers
and designers should consider as part of a strategy to achieve safety by design of machinery in conformity
with European Legislation.
The reduction of vibration by design of machinery can make an important contribution to the effective
protection of people at work from the harmful effects of vibration. In practical situations, however, a
combination of engineering measures and management measures may be necessary.
1 Scope
This Technical Report provides best practices and methods available for limiting the effects of mechanical
whole-body vibration on operators’ positions. The guidelines given outline practical ways in which whole-body
vibration hazards associated with mobile machinery can be reduced by machinery design. The Technical
Report covers four important aspects of the reduction of the effects arising from exposure to hazardous
machinery vibration:
a) identification of main sources and operational modes producing vibration that might be hazardous to
health and of additional factors worsening the adverse health effects of vibration on the operators;
b) reduction of vibration magnitudes at source;
c) reduction of transmission of vibration from source to the operator;
d) ergonomic adaptation of operators’ position: posture, range of vision.
This Technical Report does not provide universal or detailed technical solutions but only a review of
engineering methods available. It is not concerned with hand-arm vibration which is covered by CR 1030-1.
This Technical Report is primarily intended as a guideline for people involved in purchasing, using, supplying,
marketing or inspecting mobile machinery. It is also intended to be a guidance for writers of type C standards
for specific types of machinery.
2 Identification of main sources and operational modes producing vibration that
might be hazardous to health
2.1 Identification of main sources and operational modes
The machine manufacturer should make a careful investigation of all possible causes of vibration and shock
connected with the full range of likely use of the machinery. In case the machinery is used with tools, the
investigation should include the range of tools likely to be used with the machine.
Internal sources of vibration in mobile machinery are engines, hydraulic devices and transmission.
Normally, the engine is not a problem unless it runs at low speed and has only a small number of cylinders.
Generally, the engine may be a problem in older, poorly maintained machines and in machines where the
user has made changes in the original construction.
Some machinery categories, e.g. vibratory rollers, include intentional vibrating sources. Machinery may also
use vibrating attachment, e.g. separators, rotary snow-ploughs, street-sweeping machines, road milling
machines, refuse collection lorries. Rough braking and handling of gears can cause large vibration and shocks.
The major source of vibration affecting operators of mobile machinery is the contact between wheels and
ground at travelling. The severity is determined by the combination of ground surface, machine dynamics and
travelling speed.
For machinery using tools, the contact between the tool and the material, e.g. in digging, rock drilling, loading,
compaction, is of vital importance. The vibration magnitude depends on the characteristics of the material and
the operator's skill.
Examples where the tools can be the dominant source of vibration are excavators using breakers.
In case of using a trailer, the design of the connection of the trailer to the machine (e.g. truck, lorry) is
important as is the position of the centre of gravity of the trailer.
Liquids cause vibration when sloshing in tanks. Tanks can be divided into smaller rooms, which will minimise
the vibration.
Some information on methodologies for identification of vibration and shock during various operational modes
can be found in EN 1032 and EN 14253.
2.2 Factors that can combine with vibration to increase the likelihood of injury
It is probably the combination of the stresses from poor position and vibration that causes back pain. The
machinery manufacturer should make a careful investigation of all possible causes which might force the
operator to adopt poor posture.
The ergonomic design should support a driving posture that minimises the adverse effects of the vibration
transmitted to the body (primarily to the spine). An upright driving position is important.
Outside visibility always comes first. Even if it is detrimental to his posture, an operator will compensate to
overcome the lack of good visibility essential for safe machine operation. Driving a counterbalance truck with a
high load, cutting the grass with a tractor along the merge of a road are examples where the operators might
bend forwards or backwards or twist the body in order to increase the visibility at travelling or operating of
equipment.
When the vertical seat adjustment is insufficient, some operators can have difficulty to reach the floor pan or
pedals with the feet. In fork lift trucks tall operators have to drive in bent position in order to avoid the head to
get in contact with the overhead guard.
On some vehicles the operator’s legs cannot slip easily under the steering wheel. When this is the case, the
operator might push his seat back to allow his thigh room to move and as a result he has to lean forward to
operate the machine controls and steering wheel.
The adverse health effects of vibration can increase when the machine is operated on slopes and side slopes
due to effects on operator’s posture,
...