Overview
ISO/TR 19664:2017 - Human response to vibration - provides guidance and consistent terminology for the instrumentation and equipment used to assess daily vibration exposure at the workplace. It addresses both hand‑arm vibration and whole‑body vibration, clarifies measurement processes, describes instrumentation types, and explains sources of vibration magnitude data used in occupational health and safety assessments. The technical report helps users combine vibration magnitude and exposure time to determine daily exposure (A(8)) in line with health and safety requirements.
Key Topics
- Measurement processes - Defines the four core steps used in exposure assessment: magnitude evaluation, exposure duration evaluation, exposure calculation and exposure evaluation. Emphasises that daily exposure (A(8)) is determined by combining weighted acceleration values and exposure times with an 8‑hour reference.
- Instrumentation types - Describes instrument categories and their capabilities:
- Human vibration meter (conforming to ISO 8041‑1) for magnitude measurement.
- Personal Vibration Exposure Meter (PVEM) and Vibration Exposure Meter (VEM) for logging and measurement-based exposure evaluation.
- Vibration exposure calculator and vibration meter with exposure calculation for exposure computation based on entered or measured values.
- Machine timers and exposure timers for estimating exposure times via machine signals, coupling force, video or sensors.
- Vibration magnitude sources - Explains use and limitations of different data sources:
- Manufacturer emission values and supplementary values
- Comparable machine values
- Machine‑specific and type‑specific vibration database values
- Terminology & limitations - Clarifies what constitutes measurement vs. estimation and highlights potential uncertainties when relying on auxiliary or non‑measuring equipment.
Applications
ISO/TR 19664:2017 is practical guidance for:
- Occupational health and safety professionals performing risk assessments and monitoring worker exposure.
- Ergonomists and industrial hygienists planning vibration surveys and interpreting results.
- Test laboratories and equipment manufacturers selecting, specifying or designing measuring instruments (e.g., PVEMs, VEMs).
- Plant managers and safety officers implementing exposure controls and monitoring compliance with vibration limits.
Use cases include hand‑held tool assessments, vehicle operator whole‑body vibration surveys, and ongoing workplace exposure monitoring programs.
Related Standards
- ISO 8041‑1 - Measuring instrumentation (general‑purpose vibration meters)
- ISO 5349‑1 - Measurement and evaluation of hand‑transmitted vibration
- ISO 2631‑1 - Evaluation of human exposure to whole‑body vibration
- ISO 2041 - Mechanical vibration vocabulary
ISO/TR 19664:2017 complements these standards by explaining instrumentation roles, data sources and practical limits when assessing daily vibration exposure for occupational health and safety.