Jackleg drills, very common in the mining industry, have been shown to produce vibration levels that can lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome in their users. In a previous study, the researcher created a prototype of an antivibration handle for one of the two models of drills most commonly used in Québec. Since it reduces exposure to hand-arm vibration by approximately 50%, this handle can be expected to be marketed and the model adapted to the other model of drill. This project consists of designing a test bench to characterize the emissions from jackleg drills under controlled conditions in order to evaluate the actual efficiency of the antivibration handle, and to follow its evolution in relation to its wear. These results can then be the basis for developing a procedure for the standardized characterization of vibration emissions from jackleg drills and facilitate the marketing of antivibration handles for reducing mining workers' exposure to hand-arm vibration.
