The factor of outstanding acceleration in the operation of vehicles

Introduction. Scientific research has established the connection of physical factors of the working environment with the pathology of the musculoskeletal system of vehicle drivers. Outstanding acceleration is one of the operational characteristics of vehicles. Due to the fact this factor to have an adverse effect on the stability of metal structures, it is impossible to exclude its adverse effect on the health of workers.

The purpose of the study. Identification and the study of outstanding acceleration, and its connection with the formation of pathology of the musculoskeletal system in workers of the transport industry.

Material and methods. Review of domestic and foreign scientific literature, measurement of acceleration indicators during vehicle movement, calculation of risk indicators in accordance with MP 2.2.0085-14 “Assessment and forecast of reliability and occupational risk of drivers of various vehicles”. The research was carried out on the example of railway transport. To measure the outstanding acceleration, a single-axis accelerometer Low Noise 21kHz 100g 1-axis accel (for the X axis), measuring range ± 100 g, and ADXL345BCCZ, a 3-axis (x, y, z) digital accelerometer, ±2 g/±4 g/±8 g/±16g [LGA-14 (3×5)], measuring range ±2g, ±4g, ±8g, ±16g.

Results. Employees operating railway transport constantly experience low levels of frontal, unbalanced acceleration during speed gain, braking, as well as sagittal acceleration when the locomotive is moving. Prolonged exposure to the constantly changing intensity and direction of the impact of unbalanced acceleration can cause the formation of pathology in the lumbosacral spine, registered as a disease associated with production, in drivers of vehicles. Calculations of the risk indicators for the formation of pathology revealed risk higher levels in locomotive crews compared to unexposed workers.

Limitations. Currently, there are no methods of hygienic assessment of the factor of outstanding acceleration identified as a factor of the occupation environment of workers operating vehicles.

Conclusion. The unbalanced acceleration must be identified as a harmful professional factor of the working environment for drivers of vehicles, which, in combination with others, can lead to the formation of production-related pathology. This factor of the working environment needs further study, development of measurement, evaluation, analysis and control methods for it.

Compliance with ethical standards: the study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Contribution:
Kopytenkova O.I. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Dubrovskaya E.N. — collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, editing;
Levanchuk L.A. — collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, measurements, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: May 17, 2022 / Accepted: August 04, 2022 / Published: September 14, 2022