Why is vibration listed as the only physical stressor in the Advanced Whole-Body Assessment?

Current research suggests that vibration is the only physical stressor that can independently contribute to the development of a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). The other physical stressors are considered “synergistic” risk factors; they may accelerate the onset of an MSD when paired with awkward postures or excessive forces, but they are unlikely to cause an MSD by themselves.

You’ll want to know whether vibration is present in a job task so that you can reduce or eliminate this physical stressor when designing and making job improvements or equipment changes.