Vibration-Injuries when working with handtools have lately,even in Finland, got the publicity it earns due to the seriousity of the matter. The machine-network,where we are situated, has an agent in Sweden that has delt with this problem since 1990. The authorities did already then demand classification of vibration. The swedish "technical research-institute" did this measuring of vibration. Nitto-Kohki was an active part in this together with the swedish distributor,and made the required tests. The participation of Nitto, that is always competing with swedish Atlas-Copco, increased the interest, so it was possible to compaire the companies results to ensure that you are not falling behind in the development. The markingsystem became known as "P-marking". The new "CE-certification" own vibration-measuringsystem comes from that system developed in Sweden.

The idea with the measuring is to measure vibration on a machine, give it a result x, from what you do an estimation of how long period per day, during a certain amount of years, it´s suitable to use the machine without getting an injury, because of the longtermeffect, that stops a future working-career.

We would like you to consider following: 

• Some of the machines on the market is not planed for industrial use, but only for hobbyworking, wich they are often good enough for. You can not expect low test-results from this tools and they are of course not suitable for proffesional use.

• The systemet itself is not free from risks and should be considered as guidance. Some of the machine-manufactors are doing the test themselves, with a pretty "loose" marginal, while Nitto is doing tests thru an outsider German company . And to be sure,Nitto apply their results with a margin of safty.

• Usually the test is done on a new machine,wich is natural. But one should calculate that machines are getting torn, wich radically changes the vibration, alredy in a few months, to a completly different level. It calls for a checking of the maintanance,more from a workprotecting point of view, than the need of more machine-effect.

• The tools used on a machine significantly contributes to the level of  vibration. Poor quality on a grinding-disc, may cause the angelgrinder to vibrate a lot more than if it should have a quality disc.

• Injuries due to machine-vibrations can be costly to the employer. The first year because of constantly lower work-effectivity,often followed by worse quality of the work, and then later, the workers are calling in sick. Longterm-effects often leads to a sick-leave,not only 1-2 days,but more common 2-3 weeks with rehabilitation.

• The importance of vibration should be considered at the start of a workplan and when purchasing a machine. Make an estimation about the stages of the work altogether,from aspects of ergonomics,noicelevel and the wheigt of the machines.

• A low vibration-level is a receipt of a well planed machine, built with quality components. The effect is supposed to be sufficient for the tools that is beeing used, due to the fact that large vibration often causes too little rotation for files and grindingstones,and as well grinding-discs,wich means extra tearing on the tools.

• If you have a contract with a "shelf-filler", make sure you´re provided with machines coping the vibration-problems. Unfortunatly there are already a lot of examples about low priority in the following up of what is beeing delivered,and if the machines are up to the challenge described or not.

• In general a low-vibrating machine is better constructed, wich assures a longer lifetime for the product and nevertheless longer working-career for the employee.