Human hand-transmitted vibration measurements on pedestrian controlled tractor operators by a laser scanning vibrometer

A first application of a new measurement technique to detect vibration tran smitted to the human body in working conditions is presented. The technique is based on the use of a laser scanning vibrometer. It was previously deve loped, analysed and tested using laboratory test benches with electrodynami cal exciters, and comparisons with traditional measurement techniques based on accelerometers were made. First, results of tests performed using a rea l machine generating vibration are illustrated. The machine used is a pedes trian-controlled tractor working in a fixed position. Reference measurement s by using the accelerometer have been simultaneously performed while scann ing the hand surface by the laser-based measurement system. Results achieve d by means of both measurement techniques have been processed, analysed, co mpared and used to calculate transmissibility maps of the hands of three su bjects.