Vibration sickness is an occupational disease caused by the prolonged effect on the body of a local or general vibration. It develops gradually and for a long time does not affect the ability to work. Fatigue, cold, and the strain caused by incorrect working posture lessen the body's tolerance to vibration, and vibration sickness eventually manifests itself by pains and weakness in the extremities and by increased sensitivity to chilling. Functional disorders of the nervous system result (rapid fatigue, irritability, headaches, and sometime dizziness) and as the disease progresses, disruptions of cardiovascular activity and disturbance of metabolic processes may result.
This illness was first described in 1911.
Vibration sickness occurs in workers subjected to prolonged local vibration (work with pneumatic or electric hammers, rammers vibropackers) on one part of the body, or general vibration on the entire body (from vibropacking concrete or from transport).