engleski

Working inability due to the vibration disease and hearing loss in group of forestry workers in Croatia.

The aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the type and frequency of health problems among forestry workers with different work experience with chain saw. Methods. The study included 52 forest workers who were directed to our Occupational Medicine Center for ability evaluation in 1994 –1998 period. The mean age of the affected forest workers was 44,3 years, and the mean work experience with chain saw was 18,6 years. They were examined following the guidelines for the medical examination of the vibration disease and of the hearing loss including EMNG of the upper limbs, X-rays of cervical and lumbosacral spine, of shoulder joints, elbows, and fists, digital photoplethysmography and thermometry of fists. Results. Forest workers with ranging work experience 11 to 15 years suffer from hearing loss in frequency of 28,6 %. Only 5 % of forest workers with working experience between 16 and 20 years had isolated hearing loss, but 45 % of them suffer from combined symptoms of vibration disease and hearing loss. Conclusions. Elderly chain-saw operators and those with long-term exposure were at higher risk of developing hand-arm vibration syndrome. The association and the aggravated hearing loss in workers with vibration disease may be due to vibration induced changes in the autonomic nervous system or internal factors of the blood vessels. Control measures such as the adequate shortening on the operating time of the chain saw and the restrictions on the age of workers as well as properly conducted preplacement and periodic examination and using protective equipment can mainly prevent the vibration syndrome and the hearing loss in chain-saw operators

working inability; vibration disease; hearing loss; forestry workers

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