Daily Vibration Exposure in the Context of State and European Legislature: A Case Study among Chainsaw Operators in Croatia

The Ordinance on Occupational Safety and Health in Forestry proposes no more than 4 h of effective chainsaw work daily, while EU Directive 2002/44/EC an EAV 2.5 m/s2, ELV 5 m/s2. aim this paper was to compare assess the viability proposed restrictions. A case study Croatia including 91 felled processed trees, a detailed time study, vibration magnitude measuring European beech wet wood compliance with ISO 5349-1:2001 5349-2:2001 standards were performed. results implied that tree species, processing method, DBH have influence structure working hours. Using bigger powerful chainsaws resulted higher A(8) values; it also noted right hand is exposed. On average, none observed exceeded m/s2 A(8). It can be concluded state legislature, which allows maximum day, appropriately protecting workers from exposure, but obsolete (1986) as only uses limit. In contrast, legislature requires methodical approach calculation leaves room for individual evaluation specific work, opens up possibilities extending or shortening some operations.