Recent trends in reduction of hand arm vibration syndrome for agricultural handheld equipment: A review based on challenges and future directions

A major occupational health risk in the agricultural industry is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which is brought on by exposure to vibration from handled machinery. This review thoroughly covers the historical background and prevalence of HAVS in agriculture, highlighting the harm it does to the health and productivity of workers. The goal is to solve the research deficit in this area by concentrating on vibration isolation and dampening approaches. The paper comprehensively examines measurement methods, such as accelerometer-based approaches, strain gauge and force plate methods, wireless sensor networks, for evaluating vibrations related to HAVS. These methods are compared in order to clarify their advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, engineering controls, isolation mounts, dampers, and smart technologies are included in the categories of shock and vibration reduction solutions based on their efficiency and application. Also covered are human factors that affect vibration reduction. The difficulties in putting reduction strategies into practice are underlined. These difficulties include economic considerations, technological limitations, and user approval. In order to draw useful conclusions, case studies demonstrating effective vibration reduction methods in agricultural contexts are provided. Future directions for reducing HAVS in agriculture include interdisciplinary research opportunities, developing technologies for vibration reduction, and a global approach. This review concludes by highlighting the importance of tackling HAVS, providing insights into real-world applications, and suggesting future research initiatives. © The Author(s) 2024.