AVALIAÇÃO DA VIBRAÇÃO OCUPACIONAL NO POSTO OPERACIONAL DE TRATORES AGRÍCOLAS DURANTE A OPERAÇÃO DE SUBSOLAGEM

Abstract

The use of subsoiler implement tractors in the Forestry area, focusing on the tillage activity is a common practice. However, this method should be evaluated from the perspective of the operator's health, as it is subject to the vibrations that these machines may transmit during the execution of their work activities. Occupational vibrations can cause spinal problems, increase the risk of low back disease, vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. From this perspective, the objective was to quantitatively evaluate the occupational vibration acting on an agricultural tractor operator with attached subsoiler implement while performing the subsoiling operation in an area intended for eucalyptus planting. The technical procedures adopted were those established by Occupational Hygiene Standard 09: Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Fundacentro Full Body Vibrations. The instrument consisted of a Larson Davis model HVM 200 integrating human body vibration meter and a properly calibrated triaxial Seat Pad type accelerometer that was attached to the tractor seat. The tests were performed in two areas of terrain with variation in the amount of forest residue and humidity, characterized as Test A (field boundary) and Test B (field interior). The tests demonstrated acceleration values resulting from normalized exposure above the tolerance limit in both scenarios (higher in the field boundary area), indicating the need for immediate corrective action, as continued exposure of the worker to these conditions may be bringing harm to your health.