🚀 go-pugleaf

D.Darren MacDonald, BScK wrote:
> 
> I have a question concerning the application of force to a foot throttle by
> grader operators.  Has anyone ever seen incidences of low back pain among
> operators because I am in the middle of an assessment and I would like
> something to compare it to.  The model of the grader is a CAT from I
> believe 1994, low profile cab.
> 
> The concern that I have is that the throttle on the floor is located at an
> angle that seems to constantly aggravate the lower back, it is almost at 3
> o'clock (not quite that severe but close).
> 
> Any help would be greatly appreciated....Best regards......Darren.

Lower back is very hard to attribute one specific source, but a prime
culprit in this case would probably be the vibrations from these types
of machines.  I suspect any survey of heavy equiptment operators will
find high instances of lower back pain because first, the work is seated
and second, their is a lot of whole body vibrations in the 2-20 Hz
range.  To make matters worse, many studies have shown that at least in
automobiles, the typical seats tend to amplify vibrations in this
range.  I would suspect grader seats do that same (if they are not
worse).  

The pedal position may also have something to do with your problems
because biomechanical models show that there is a link between the
lumbar curve and the thigh position.  Having the high pedal forces the
lumbar curve to straighten even more than normally seated work which
could contribute to more lower back pain.  

Changing the pedal position may help, but I suspect that seat design and
vibration would also be very important issues to address (if not even
more important).
 
Hope this helps.

------------------------------------------------------------
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"O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous."
And God granted it. 
                                           Voltaire
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huckie@umich.edu is Christopher Nowakowski
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~huckie/