Frequency-Range-Specific Hand–Arm Vibration Exposure and the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities: The German Hand–Arm Vibration Study

To quantify the effect of frequency-range-specific hand–arm vibration (FRS-HAV) exposure on the risk of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb (UMSDs), we performed an analysis among the study sample of the German Hand–Arm Vibration Study. In total, 206 cases and 609 controls were included in this analysis. Cases were new patients with UMSDs. Controls were a random sample of people with compensable occupational injuries. Standardized personal interviews were performed among cases and controls. In addition to leisure activities and comorbidities, detailed work histories were obtained from all participants. To quantify FRS-HAV exposures, a database of vibration measurements of over 700 power tools was used. This database allows detailed quantification of vibration exposure over long periods of time. A dose–response relationship between FRS-HAV exposure and UMSDs was quantified using conditional logistic regression analyses. After adjustment for relevant confounders, consistent and statistically significant exposure–response relationships were observed between cumulative vibration exposure and UMSDs. The effect of vibration exposure on the risk of UMSDs is mainly concentrated in the frequency range ≤ 50 Hz. This suggests that the current ISO frequency-weighting curve for quantifying hand–arm vibration exposure is reasonable and can be used for vibration-related risk assessment, especially for musculoskeletal disorders.