[Local-action vibration and mechanical stress--their hygienic characteristics and medical evaluation of exposed workers].

Medical examination and assessment of the hand-transmitted vibration and mechanical shocks were performed in 69 workers using chipping hammers, grinding tools, pneumatic hammers and forge hammers. Out of the 15 chippers examined, 5 presented vibration-induced white finger syndrome. The latency period for the syndrome was found to be similar to that predicted in the ISO guidelines no. 5349. Twenty seven hammer-using operators complained of joints pain within the upper extremities. The results of the examinations indicate that the work under conditions of mechanical shocks may increase the risk of vibration-induced pathology.