| Vibration is a common and nearly unavoidable consequence of mechanical equipment operation. The heavy reliance on mechanical equipment to perform tasks not within human capability and to increase task automation in many of today's working environments has led to an increase in human exposure. The transmission of mechanical vibration to employees in industries such as public transportation, long-haul truck operation, mining and construction, and aerospace has become an everyday occurrence. Naturally, this transmission of vibration has generated concern for the effects of exposure on employee health.;Abundant epidemiological evidence for an association between whole body vibration exposure and an increased incidence of low back pain exists. This evidence, in conjunction with the prevalence of low back pain in the workplace, warrants research aimed at identifying and fully understanding the potential underlying physiological mechanism(s) supporting this association.;This case-control study evaluated relationships among whole body vibration exposure and vertebral bone mineral density, vertebral body height and, estimated intervertebral disc height. Two study populations comprised of mining haul truck operators and mining office workers were recruited; populations were matched on a number of potentially confounding variables.;These current data did not conclusively demonstrate whether vertebral bone mineral densities, vertebral body heights, and estimated intervertebral disc heights were adversely affected by chronic occupational exposure to whole body vibration.;The current data did, however, demonstrate nonstatistically significant trends that suggest whole body vibration protectively increases lumber bone mineral density and detrimentally decreases intervertebral disc height. Further investigation into the effects of chronic whole body vibration exposure on intervertebral disc compression is warranted with a more appropriate diagnostic technology. |
