We can sense vibrations and know that people are being exposed to them. But we can't tell if what we're feeling is harmful. We need to measure vibration exposure for this.

The mechanical oscillations of an object about an equilibrium point are referred to as vibration.

The oscillations can be regular, like a pendulum, or random, like the movement of a tire on a gravel road. The measurement of the overall "pressure waves" (vibration energy) generated by the vibrating equipment or structure is required for the study of the health effects of vibration.

Vibration is classified into two types:

1. Hand Arm Vibration is commonly associated with the use of vibrating hand tools.
2. Whole Body Vibration is typically felt by a driver or operator sitting on a vibrating machine used in agriculture, transportation, mining, or forestry.

Vibration enters the body through the body part or organ that comes into contact with vibrating equipment. Vibration affects hands and arms when a worker uses hand-held equipment such as a chainsaw or jackhammer. This type of exposure is known as hand-arm vibration exposure.

Whole-body vibration exposure occurs when a worker sits or stands on a vibrating floor or seat.

The average daily exposure determines the risk of vibration-induced injury. A risk assessment considers the intensity and frequency of the vibration, the duration (years) of exposure, and the part of the body that receives vibration energy.

Hand and finger damage is caused by hand-arm vibration. It manifests as damage to blood vessels, nerves, and finger joints. White finger disease, also known as hand-arm vibration syndrome, is the result. One of the symptoms is that affected fingers turn white when exposed to cold. Vibration-induced white finger disease also results in a loss of grip force and touch sensitivity.

Whole-body vibration has unanticipated side effects. Heavy vehicle drivers have a higher incidence of bowel, circulatory, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders, according to studies. Disorders of the nervous, circulatory, and digestive systems, on the other hand, are not limited to whole-body vibration exposure.

However, disorders of the nervous, circulatory and digestive systems are not specific to whole-body vibration exposure only.