United States (U.S.) Navy sailors are exposed to a very large number of hazards, both chemical and physical. Occupational vibration from pneumatic air tools is one of the potential exposure hazards. There are very limited data as to the exposures to one type of tool, a needle gun or needle scaler, used by the sailors.The purpose of this study was to characterize the vibration levels generated by a needle gun used in the U.S. Navy. The design of the study evaluated the difference pressure had on the acceleration levels generated from the needle scaler. Five subjects were used in the evaluation of the tool. Each subject was required to hold the tool for twenty seconds activated without contact and activated on a surface and at two different pressures, 60 and 80 pound per square inch (psi). Each subject repeated each of the conditions three times for a total of 12 measurements. Each subject was also required to hold the tool in hand without the tool activated. The measurements were collected from an accelerometer on the needle gun following ISO 5349-1:2001 and ISO 5349-2:2001 methods. Significant differences were observed individually in pressure (p<0.0001), contact (p<0.0001)), and subjects (p<0.001). In addition, there was a significant interaction between contact and pressure (p<0.001). It was concluded that U.S. Navy sailors are not likely at significant risk to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome for lifetime exposures to hand transmitted vibration.

Den till sjöss vanliga nålhackan som används vid rostskyddsarbete avger kraftigt stötande vibrationer som kan skada användaren efter extensiv användning. Syftet med denna studie var att klarlägga hur mycket vibrationer ett däcksmanskap kan utsätts för under en normal arbetsdag samt vilka hälsorisker som föreligger vid användning av nålhackan. Två metoder har använts för att genomföra studien. En fältstudie användes för att ta reda på vilka hand- och armvibrationsnivåer ett däcksmanskap kan komma upp i vid arbete med nålhacka. Detta skede via loggning av tid som nålhackan använts på fyra olika fartyg och resultatet ställdes sedan mot lagstadgade insats- och gränsvärden för hand- och armvibrationer. En litteraturundersökning användes för att komma fram till hur hand- och armvibrationer, HAV, påverkar arbetaren och vilka risker som föreligger vid HAV-exponering. Fältstudieresultatet visar att genomsnittsvärden överskred arbetsmiljölagens lagstadgade gränsvärden för hand- och armvibrationer. Resultatet från litteraturstudien tyder på att däcksmanskapsyrket skulle kunna vara en riskfaktor för utvecklande av hand- och armvibrationssyndrom, HAVS, som kan ge symtom såsom vita fingrar, försämrad finmotorik och greppstyrka. / At sea, the needle scaler is a commonly used tool for removing rust and preparing steel surfaces for new paint. Prolonged exposure to its strong vibrations can cause harm to the user. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of vibration exposure a seaman working on deck with needle scalers can reach during a normal working day, and how this exposure can affect the worker’s health. To accomplish this, two methods were used. A field study was used, aimed to determine the daily vibration exposure, by logging the time needle scalers were used on board four different merchant ships. A literature search was used aimed at examining how hand- arm vibration, HAV, affect the worker and what risks HAV-exposure can generate. The result from the field study showed that the average vibration values ​​exceeded European statutory limits. The result from the literature study showed signs that the deck seaman profession may be a risk factor in developing hand- and arm vibration syndrome, HAVS, with symptoms such as impaired dexterity, white finger syndrome and reduced grip strength in the hand as possible risks.