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Principle 2
Improve Grips
Grip design is a key issue and the subject of many
of the rules of work. Grips refer to the handle on a
tool as well as other applications such as on a
pushcart or a toolbox.
Handholds enable use of a power grip and thus
permit more work for less effort. Use power grips—One can exert more force with
a full hand grip (a power grip) than with the fingers
alone (a pinch grip). So, if the task requires strength,
provide tools and equipment that make use of a
power grip.
A good example is carrying a box or tote—
boxes with handholds take less exertion to carry.
Consequently, with a good grip, one can accomplish
the same task with less effort.
Mechanize
Use power tools, machines, and cylinders—
Perhaps the most obvious way to reduce force is to
completely mechanize the activity, which has been
the core of industrial progress over the past two
centuries: steam engines, electrical equipment, and
so on. Power cylinders are particularly useful,
whether powered by pressurized air, oil, or water
(the last being an underused technology that has great
Let tools do the heavy work. advantages in the food processing industry or other
areas where oil leaks would present a problem).
Techniques include:
Body Position
Design for neutral posture—One advantage of
designing for neutral postures is that, in general,
the muscles are in their optimal position for strength
when in their neutral position. This concept is quite
intuitive: It is much easier to exert muscles in a
natural posture than in an awkward one. Thus, by
designing for neutral postures one can do more work
for less effort.
A curling bar places muscles and wrists in a better There are some exceptions to this general rule,
posture than a straight bar does and it enables lifting such as when a non-neutral posture permits use of
heavier weights. additional muscle groups (for example, pulling a
load with the arm fully extended and using the
larger muscles in the torso and leg).
Workplace Surveys
With these basic rules and tips regarding force in mind, it is possible
to survey a workplace and identify many issues and potential
improvements. One merely assesses each task, looking for
indications of force—pinching, grasping, pushing, pulling, lifting,
and so on. Then, for each issue observed, one considers as many
alternatives as possible.
In initial stages of an ergonomics assessment it is usually not
important to ask “Is this a problem or not?” or “Is this an unsafe
level of force or not?” If it is possible to make a simple, low-cost
improvement to reduce some force, then the change can typically
be made without further study. If the only possible improvement is
expensive, or if there is some other extenuating circumstance, then
it may be useful to determine if the loads are excessive. (See
subsequent material on measurements and guidelines.)
It should also be mentioned that ergonomics cannot solve all
problems for both technical and economic reasons. However, many
problems can be solved, often in ways that are low cost, if these
rules of work are applied with innovation and creativity.