ERGONOMICS IN HAND TOOL DESIGN

ABHINAV KUMAR DEPT. OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN NIT ROURKELA

ERGONOMICS IN HAND TOOLS DESIGNS

An ergonomically designed tool

Enhances operator performance thus productivity and quality of work. Reduces operator discomfort, fatigue or physical stress. Prevents injury or accidents. Is usable to maximum population.

SOME EXAMPLES OF HAND TOOLS

How an Ergonomic tool can be achieved?

Ergonomic factors to be considered are Handles and Grip design- Biomechanical consideration Tool weight , center of gravity

Tool shape
Static forces and loads Dynamic reaction force such as vibrations and torques Operator- gender, position etc.

Work location
Tool orientation

HANDLES AND GRIP DESIGN

IMPORTANT ASPECTS

Location of the handles Handles should be located at or above the center of gravity of the load. Some tools can have two handles also one for support other for control.

Some examples of handles

TYPES OF GRIPS
Precision grip - provides control for precision and accuracy. The tool is gripped between the thumb and the fingertips. Power grip - provides maximum hand power for high force tasks. All the fingers wrap around the handle.

Handles sizes

For a Power grip - diameter should be large for better grip and for delivering greater required force and torque. The recommended diameter for a power grip is 40-45mm.Ex- hammer . For a Precision grip diameter should be smaller so as to provide more accuracy in work or job. The recommended diameter for a precision grip is 8-16mm.Ex- nut drivers For tools needing both Precision and Power grip - The ideal handle diameter is a compromise between 25 and 40mm.ex-screwdriver. For maximum power in an adult male, it should be 3 or 4 cm in diameter (Drury, 1980). Length at least 10 to 15 centimetres, to fit the width of the palm, longer for large-handed population, shorter if the butt end of the handle is to fit into the palm, when it should be rounded. Allow for the thickness of working gloves.

ANTHROPOMETRY FOR TOOL DESIGN

All these anthropometry should be considered while designing a tool which is to be used By maximum people.

HANDLES SHAPES
Cylindrical, if the grip is to twist round the handle. Ex-one piece rolling pin. Uniform diameter and smooth surface along the length, to allow sliding, for example on the back of an axe handle. Thickened centrally, if there is a need to secure against sliding. An example is a sheep-shearing hand-piece. Bent to keep the wrist in straight position. The crucial ergonomic principle in tool use and design -- bend the tool, not the wrists. Pommel - an enlargement of the butt end, for security against slip, which would occur with momentary relaxation of grip.

HANDLES SHAPES

Bent handles

Axe handle

Rolling pin

SOME BAD DESIGN

Handles get smaller, but hand does not

Smaller handles are difficult to use by normal-sized hands

HANDLES SURFACE
Handles surface are designed such that they have maximum grip and also they should be able to deliver maximum power with accuracy.

Handles should be designed for bare or gloved hand operation.

Smoothness for sliding or rotating the handle within the hand.

 Roughness may be deliberate, to have a better grip.

Grips should be contoured to the curve of the palm of the hand. Some handles have a textured rubber handles for safety and insulation against heat, vibration, and electricity, against sudden jolts. Some screwdrivers have 'fluted' handles (deep ridges along the length) and others are smooth.

Biomechanical consideration and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Forceful grip exertions of hand rely on muscle contractions in forearm, and muscle forces are transferred to fingers via tendons. Grip Configuration - determines level of muscle exertion and tendon tension, and there is some effect of hand and wrist anthropometry. Wrist Angle - during grip-type exertions it directly affects the amount of intra-wrist supporting forces acting normal to the direction of tendons and synovia (the lubricating sheaths around tendons).

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Along with common injuries such as cuts, lacerations, and bruises, the frequent and prolonged use of hand tools can cause soreness, aches, pains, and fatigue, which, when ignored, can lead to chronic musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) of various kinds.

MSDs are the major work place injury. There are many different names for these injuries: CTD - Cumulative Trauma Disorders OOD - Occupational Overuse Disorder RMI - Repetitive Motion Injury RMD - Repetitive Motion Disorder RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury UECTD - Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorder

CAUSES OF MSDs
Four risk factors increase the likelihood of an MSD: Posture of hand and body - Posture deviated from "neutral position" increases the likelihood of injury. This can include hand deviations, wrist extensions, or poor seated posture. Number of Repetitions - High frequency of performing a motion can increase the likelihood of injury. Insufficient micro breaks between motions (such as keystrokes) and the resulting muscle fatigue contribute to this process. Amount of Force - A higher force with which the motion is performed can increase the likelihood of injury. A common problem is that keys on a keyboard are hit with excessive force. Level of Stress - Stress increases muscle tension which in turn increases the forces on the tendons.

AWKWARD BODY POSITIONS

CONCLUSION
Keeping in mind of ergonomics factors for a hand tools we can avoid MSDs happening to a user at the same time we can increase productivity which results to more profit.