Drivers wanted for health research

A TEAM of researchers from Aberdeen University’s Biomedical Physics Department is calling for drivers/operators of heavy machinery in the quarrying industry to participate in a new study investigating the health risks associated with driving.

The team is hoping to recruit about 100 drivers/operators (with or without back problems) to see how vibrations from vehicles and other known risk factors contribute both independently and in combination to affect the body (back, shoulders, neck etc). Other quarry workers whose jobs do not involve driving will also be recruited to act as a control.

The study will apply a protocol for establishing the relative role of three separate risk factors (driving posture, whole-body vibration and manual materials handling), thereby providing a basis for control and redesign of the working environment. Once the data have been analysed, it is hoped that the results will lead to recommendations that will help to reduce the number of lower-back and other health complaints associated with driving.

In the first phase of the 18-month project, which is being funded by the Health & Safety Executive, volunteers will be given questionnaires to help the researchers establish their driving and health history. Later, the researchers plan to spend time with the drivers to monitor their driving conditions (by video recording) and to assess their postures and vibration exposure.