AN ERGONOMIC STUDY OF HAND HAMMERS

Abstract

In production, maintenance and construction industries hand tools, especially the hand hammers are indispensable tools. The hammers accounted for 14 to 19% of all hand tan! injuries. The relationship between the. hand tool and operator directly affects occupational safety, health and eventually, productivity. A most effective and safe relationship may he accomplished by properly designing selecting and using hand tools. The available literature on the hand tools seldom addressed the problem of size and configuration of hand hammer handles as it related minimizing fatigue and maximising tool capability. The present work deals with the study of effect of variation in the size of hammer handle on the hammering performance keeping in view the muscular fatigue. It also applies the fact that when a tool, gripped with power grip, has its working and extended above the hand, then a curve in a handle may he beneficial. II