Association between musculoskeletal pain and whole body vibration exposure among heavy truck operators in Mongolian mining

Abstract

The mining sector in Mongolia contributes 22.8% to GDP and accounts for 72.2% of all recorded occupational diseases. Of these cases, 23.1% are diagnosed as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, data on diseases related to vibration exposure remain insufficient. Data were collected from 122 operators using the Larson Davis HVM 100 device to measure whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure, and MSDs were assessed via the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). The average vibration acceleration experienced by study participants was 1.01 m/s². Bulldozer operators were exposed to the highest acceleration of 2.67 m/s², exceeding the Mongolian standard exposure limit value by a factor of 3.1. Lower back pain (LBP) was reported by 76.2% ( n = 93) of the operators, and those exposed to vibration levels above the exposure action value (0.43 m/s²) had a 9.2-fold higher odds of reporting LBP. This study provides the first evidence in Mongolia linking WBV exposure to an increased risk of LBP among heavy-truck operators, with significantly elevated odds after adjustment for key factors. The findings highlight the need for more comprehensive exposure assessment methods and integrated interventions to reduce WBV-related musculoskeletal risks.