ERGONOMICS investigation for orientation of the handles of WOOD ROUTERS.

This study tries to improve the ergonomics of wood routing tasks, suggesting better handle orientations for hand held wood routers. In this study, seven different handle combinations were tested over two routing tasks (beading and dado) in regard with perceived discomfort, electromyography (EMG) of biceps brachi (BB) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), and hand-arm vibrations (HAV). Handles with 30° and 60° inclinations were found more comfortable than previously 90° handle inclinations for routing tasks. The perceived discomfort in the dado task was found to be significantly higher than beading task (p < 0.001), EMG activity also supported this observation. However, EMG data showed no significant difference for the different handles as used in the study. No worth reduction was obtained in HAV levels for the modified wooden handles as compared to initial plastic handles. Relevance to industry:  The ergonomic intervention in wood routers described in this paper will contribute to the existing knowledge of ergonomics of handle design and will aid the designers/engineers to design such tool handles that may reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD)/ hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in workers using wood routers. PMID: 28868989 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics - Category: Occupational Health Tags: Int J Occup Saf Ergon Source Type: research