PIMEX--an instructive way to study vibration exposure and work posture.

The PIMEX-method (PIcture-Mix-EXposure) involves measurement of exposure with a direct-reading instrument. The signal from the instrument is superimposed to the recording from a video camera to produce a video film which continuously shows the subject at work and how exposure varies. Application can be a physical factor such as vibration. We used this new method to study vibrations from hand held grinders. Using Brüel and Kjaer miniaturized accelerometer 4374 and vibration meter 2513 we measured vibrations at the grinders main and support handles. We studied different grinders at work on the metal surface as well as at idle speed. Workers posture such as arms in under-up position was evaluated. The PIMEX-method has been encouraging to show correlation between vibration exposure, work technique and different grinders.