The vibration dampening jackhammer is an engineering control that may help reduce hand-arm vibration.  Vibration dampening jackhammers use a combination of counterbalances, shock absorbers, and/or decoupling internal parts from the outside casting to significantly reduce vibration during use. 

Vibration dampening jackhammers come in many different makes and models.

Dewalt

The Dewalt D25980K weighs 68.3 lbs, has a 15 amp motor, and provides 61 ft-lbs of impact energy. The tool uses SHOCKS Active Vibration Control® which acts as a counterbalance mechanism. The Dewalt D25980K also has rubber coated handles making the total vibration measurement of acceleration 4.8 m/s2.

Bosch

The Bosch BH2760VC weighs 63.2 lbs, has a 15 amp motor, and provides 49.5 ft-lbs of impact energy. The tool has Active Vibration Control™ which in part uses a longer air cushion in the hammer mechanism. 

Hilti

The Hilti TE3000 AVR weighs 65.9 lbs and has 50 ft-lbs of impact energy.  The tool has Active Vibration Reduction technology, which uses counterbalances, vibration absorbers, and decoupling of internal parts from the outer casting.  The total vibration is 7.0 m/s2.

Makita

The Makita HM1810 weighs 71.3 lbs, has a 15 amp motor, and delivers 46.5 ft-lbs of impact energy.  The tool has Anti-Vibration Technology which uses an internal counterbalance system.  The tool has a total vibration of 9 m/s2.

A vibration dampening jackhammer may increase productivity by allowing the user to work for longer periods of time while still limiting daily vibration exposure. 

A calculator to estimate safe daily vibration exposure can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/vibrationcalc.htm

Proper hearing protection should be worn during use of jackhammers. For more information visit:

http://www.cpwrconstructionsolutions.org/pipes_vessels/solution/637/using-hearing-protectors.html

Use of vibration dampening gloves can also reduce hand-arm vibration. For more information visit: http://www.cpwrconstructionsolutions.org/pipes_vessels/solution/110/anti-vibration-gloves.html

Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC; and Jesse Brouwer, SPT – Eastern Washington University

• General Labor
  • Jackhammer rock and concrete surfaces
    • Hand-Arm Vibration