Noise and Vibration Hazards in Chainsaw Operations: A Review

SUMMARY

Chainsaws have exposed operators to hazards unrelated to the major accidents associated with crosscut saw and axe felling. These include deafness due to noise and Raynaud's disease caused by vibration.

Excessive noise may cause total or partial deafness. The average noise level for many chainsaws is about 106 dB; this is medically unacceptable when exposure occurs over the average cycle times for stump operations. However, ear-muffs will reduce the perceived noise level to below 80 dB, thereby eliminating the dangers of deafness.

High levels of vibration in chainsaws are transmitted to the operator's hands and may cause fatigue, pain, cyanosis and, in more severe cases, Raynaud's disease, in which the fingers of both hands periodically turn white through poor circulation, resulting in numbness and poor control. If the condition proceeds unchecked, death of the tissues may result. There is doubt about the component or components of vibration which cause Raynaud's disease and some of the more recent information on this is reviewed. Methods are given by which chainsaw operators can reduce the risk of becoming affected by the disease.