全身振動通常是透過支撐系統將機械振動的能量傳至整個身體，例如座位或平台。典型的暴露包括駕駛汽車或貨車，以及操作工業車輛。背部的傷病可由車輛或機械振動經由座位傳入駕駛者的身體所引起。全身振動亦可經過車體或機械平台由足部進入操作者。全身振動與背部傷病有所關聯，儘管其影響程度的問題以及其他原因影響的程度，仍存有疑問之處。一些國際標準已定義量測與評估全身振動的方法，並提出極限值，但缺少劑量－反應的關係。歐盟會議在2002年6月決議，公佈名為“最低的健康與安全要求?對暴露於全身振動危害的勞工保護指令，要求其成員應於2005年7月前依據該指令制定成為法令。本研究回顧就目前所了解人體暴露於全身振動的量測與評估摘錄了一些結果，希望本研究內容對於思考在法令層面預防全身振動危害能有些許幫助。我們可能應將一些經常駕駛與操控振動設備者視為暴露於危害風險的勞工，假如員工覺得其暴露於全身振動的危害，鼓勵員工早期發現背部不舒適的症狀，並尋求醫療協助。雇主應儘量提供經設計並調校到最小全身振動暴露量的設備給員工使用，雇主如想要作振動的測定，可由振動專業人員與工業衛生人員完成，並提供降低振動的必要建議。

Whole body vibration (WBV) refers to energy from mechanical oscillations transferred to the body as a whole, usually through a supporting system such as a seat or platform. Exposure can occur while driving automobiles or trucks and operating industrial vehicles. The vibrations typically pass through the seat and into the driver's body or through the feet via the platform of a vehicle or machine. WBV has been associated with back disorders; however, the extent of this problem in industry and the extent to which other disorders may also develop are controversial. Some international standards have defined means of measuring and evaluating WBV and offered “limits”, but there are no dose-response relations. The Directive, published in June 2002, defines “the minimum health and safety requirements” for the exposure of workers to risks arising from vibration. Member States of the European Union must enact laws to comply with the Directive by July 2005. This review summarizes the current understanding of the measurement and evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration. It is hoped that the contents of this review will be of some assistance to those considering the prevention of WBV hazards within the context of national laws. It should be assumed that workers who regularly drive or operate industrial vehicles are at risk. Employees should be encouraged to report symptoms early and seek medical advice, if they believe they are being harmed by exposure to WBV. The health risks from WBV need to be assessed and appropriate strategies used to control those risks. Equipment should be designed or adapted to minimize WBV. Employers may want to arrange for vibration levels to be measured by a vibration expert or industrial hygienist, who can also make the necessary recommendations for reducing vibration.