Anyone who has driven a vehicle knows the sensation of vibration from the road. It can be felt through the floor, the seat and the steering wheel. This particularly applies to drivers who spend long hours in the driver’s seat. Some effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) are noticeable within a day of driving, while others take years to develop. There are preventative measures that drivers and fleet managers can put in place to help reduce the impact of WBV on drivers’ bodies and their vehicles.
Short Term Effects of WBV
Drivers will begin to feel the effects of WBV in as little as half an hour. The first thing most drivers notice is discomfort. With longer periods of exposure, fatigue sets in.
Fatigue over time results in distractibility and reduced coordination. Drivers will begin to notice issues focusing on the road. Impaired coordination makes responding to sudden traffic changes much more difficult. Inattentiveness and impaired coordination while behind the wheel contribute to no small number of accidents. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2023, fatigue accounted for roughly 20% of all motor vehicle crashes, which equates to over 300,000 crashes per year.
Not only does fatigue increase the risk of vehicle accidents, but it also increases the risk of individual accidents. Drivers have an increased risk of falling when exiting the cab due to decreased coordination, leading the risk of severe injury. Of all nonfatal injuries and illnesses not related to transportation incidents, 30% were attributed to falls, slips and trips.
Long Term Effects of WBV
As drivers are exposed to WBV over time, their bodies begin to slowly show the effects. Truck drivers, who on average have 3,000 hours of exposure per year, are particularly susceptible to the effects of WBV. Many of the long-term conditions resulting from WBV can take years to develop.
WBV is known to contribute to chronic neck and back pain. Workers exposed to higher levels of WBV have a 1.5 times greater risk for developing lower back pain compared with workers exposed to low levels of vibration. The probability of increased bone damage occurs as exposure increases. Fatigue-induced micro fractures in the in vitro lumbar vertebral endplates are one such result. Over time, these micro fractures may lead to overall disc degeneration.
With all the health repercussions from WBV, many drivers find their quality of life impacted through their retirement years. After retirement, neck and back disorders continue to plague individuals despite their reduced exposure to WBV.
How to Reduce WBV
While there is no perfect answer to eliminate WBV, there are several ways for fleets to minimize exposure and prolong driver health.
1. ROI Cabmate®
Link developed ROI Cabmate® as a responsive cab suspension. The semi-active system uses sensors to react in real-time to road conditions, dampening impacts from road deformities while also reducing vibration felt by the whole cab.
ROI Cabmate® has been demonstrated to reduce WBV
ROI Cabmate® reduces WBV throughout the entire cab, not just the seat. This creates a safer environment for drivers, reducing fatigue and fatigue-related conditions. It also allows off-drivers to rest easier in the bunk, preparing them for a safer drive.
2. Vehicle Maintenance
It is important to keep up with vehicle maintenance to lessen the impacts of WBV. Before drivers depart, they should ensure that their tires are properly inflated and aligned. Underinflation in tires causes uneven wear, which contributes to vibration felt by the driver. Misalignment also contributes to harsh WBV exposure.
3. Routine Breaks
Federal law requires drivers to take a 30-minute break after driving for 8 hours. By the 8-hour mark, drivers have already been exposed to significant levels of WBV. Therefore, fleets should encourage their drivers to take shorter rests within the 8-hour timeframe. This increases awareness and reduces the risk of fatigue-related accidents.
The Importance of Combating WBV
Fleets who take the effects of WBV into mind uphold a safer environment for their drivers. With technology specifically designed to reduce WBV exposure, routine maintenance and frequent breaks, fleets can create a safer workplace, reducing short-term safety problems and lowering the risk for long-term health problems.