Optimal Retirement Age for Construction Workers Exposed to Vibration: A Case Study in Turkey

Abstract

Vibrations namely; sound waves are the waves that have a certain number of repetitions in a period. The difference from the soundwaves is that the sound is transmitted through the air, while the vibration uses the solid parts of the body. Vibrations pass to operators'hands and arms and even to all their bodies from machinery and equipment used in building operations. Vibrations cause manydiscomforts. Especially in the construction sector, serious health problems are observed in workers working in high-frequency vibrationemitting machines and equipment. The most common of these health problems is a vibratory syndrome, which causes seriousoccupational and some health problems in the medium and long term. Vibration syndrome sufferers especially in construction worksexperience functional, social and phycological disabilities. Hence, the insurances and the depreciation of these occupations must bedifferent from those of other employees. In this study, construction workers’ vibration syndrome risk classifications were conducted. Difficulty in tight jar opening, weak handgrip and finger color changes are among the general problems of the employees. According to the questionnaire, finger coldness andfinger numbness are less common. According to this results suggestion on necessary precautions and legal legislation were presented.A Taguchi method-based optimization was performed on the retirement age of construction workers exposed to vibration. It is concludedthat the working time of construction workers should be re-examined as per the analysis results. Related legislations can be kept up withthe date as per the recommended retirement age for each occupation.