Standards Development

Scope

This document defines methods for the measurement of periodic, random and transient mechanical vibration, as well as vibration containing regular or occasional shocks. It indicates the principal factors that combine to determine the degree to which a vibration exposure will be acceptable. Informative Annex B, Annex C, and Annex D indicate current opinion and provide guidance on the possible effects of vibration on health, comfort and perception and motion sickness. The frequency range considered is

—     0,5 Hz to 80 Hz for health, comfort and perception

—     0,1 Hz to 0,5 Hz for motion sickness.

Although the potential effects on human performance are not covered, most of the guidance on whole-body vibration measurement also applies to this area. This document also defines the principles of preferred methods of mounting transducers for determining human exposure. It does not apply to the evaluation of extreme-magnitude single shocks such as those that occur in vehicle accidents.

This document is applicable to motions transmitted to the human body as a whole through the supporting surfaces: the feet of a standing person, the buttocks, back and feet of a seated person or the supporting area of a recumbent person. This type of vibration is found in vehicles, in machinery, in buildings and in the vicinity of working machinery. As mentioned, this document does not address the effects of vibration transmitted directly to the limbs (e.g. by power tools, hand-operated vehicle controls and steering wheels).