The effects of tool handle shape on hand performance,usability and discomfort using masons' trowels |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Ergonomics, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran;2. Department of Management, Science and Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran;3. Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Applied Arts, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran;1. Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, No.168, Jifong E. Rd, Wufong District, Taichung, 41349, Taiwan, ROC;2. Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC;1. CBRN Protection, TNO, Lange Kleiweg 137, 2288 GJ Rijswijk, The Netherlands;2. Division Measure, Model & Manage Bioresponses, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium;3. Laboratory for Protection and Physiology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland;4. Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Ardeystrasse 67, 44139 Dortmund, Germany;5. Product Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, Ambtmanstraat 1, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;6. FAME Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala 42100, Greece;7. Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 26, 221 00 Lund, Sweden;1. Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan;2. Mechanical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan;3. Product Analysis Center, Panasonic Corporation, 1048 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka, 571-8686, Japan |
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| Abstract: | The effects of five new different handle shapes on hand performance capabilities, usability and discomfort, and also the relationship between these variables were evaluated in the context of masonry work and using masons’ trowels as an exemplar hand tool. The prototype handles were designed to provide different patterns of grip so that they could be suited to the hand/tool interaction in particular hand areas. The results showed significant effect of tool handle shape on the hand grip effort, usability, and hand and finger discomfort assessments, but not on the time to complete the masonry task. The hand grip effort and usability were negatively correlated with subjective assessment of hand and finger discomfort, so that a lower level of hand and finger discomfort corresponded to higher hand grip exertion and usability. These findings provide a better insight into the performance and usability issues when using hand tools which can be applied by tool manufacturers to improve industrial hand tool design.Relevance to industryThese findings present a unique insight into the handle design for industrial hand tool use and support the general conclusion that objective measurements should be supplemented by qualitative subjective assessments to provide a more holistic approach where specific and additional details about the hand tool design characteristics are incorporated from the workers' perspective. |
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| Keywords: | Hand tools Tool handle Handle design Trowel Grip strength |
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