HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN

THE SCIENCE OF COMFORT

PHYSICAL COMFORT

HUMAN BODY SYSTEM

ANTHROPOMETRICS AND BIOMECHANICS

ZAIRUL SHAZMIE BIN ZAIDI

2015429788

AD244 4C
SIR ERWIN REZASYAH

INTRODUCTION
Hand tools are extensions of our hands. When we misuse our hands, we experience pain. When
we misuse hand tools, the possibility of injury to ourselves or people working around us increases
considerably.
Hand tools such as grinder is famous in labour part. It should be no surprise that because angle
grinders are being used in a wider variety of applications than ever beforesuch as removing
metal, cleaning, brushing, sanding, finishing, polishing, and cuttingthe number of operator
injuries has increased. It obviously can do more damage to the body such as injuries and long term
injuries (bone posture, muscle pain, join disfunction and so on)

DISCUSSION ON THE INCIDENT

Work-related low back pain and injuries are the most common musculoskeletal disorders caused
by manual handling. Factors that increase the risk of injury include the load being too heavy, large,
difficult to grasp or unstable, the task being too strenuous or involving awkward postures or
movements, and the working environment lacking sufficient space, having slippery, uneven or
unstable floors, having extreme temperatures or poor lighting.
The shoulder is a very common injury due to hand machine. Shoulder is a very mobile joint,
allowing a wide range of movement, but this comes at the expense of stability, resulting in an
area that has a high incidence of problems. Muscle weakness and imbalances, stiffness, and
trauma can cause rotator cuff muscle issues. These include muscle strains and tears, cartilage
tears, dislocations, and fractures, which lead to pain and loss of function.
Pain may arise suddenly after a specific activity, such as trauma, heavy lifting, intense exercise or
sports activity, or prolonged computer usage in a poor postural position. One may have difficulty
raising the arm above shoulder level because of pain felt in the shoulder or even to the elbow. In
this case the shoulder muscles essential for proper functioning of the shoulder (the rotator cuff
muscles), may be strained or overworked with resulting soft tissue inflammation
In fabrication shops across America and around the globe, power toolsmore specifically, angle
grindersare often used in an improper and unsafe manner. Taking the time to learn the dos and
donts of cutting and grinding can help prevent serious injury to yourself or those around you.

HOW TO PREVENT
Tools above these recommendations should be supported with a counterbalance.

It is also important that the centre of gravity be aligned with the centre of the gripping hand. In
other words, tools should feel "easy" to hold either in an upright position or in the position it will be
used (i.e., pointing down). The exception to this principle is a power hand tool, such as a grinder,
that has to be heavy in order to reduce the force that the worker has to exert while using it.

Handle shape
Tools with "bent" or angled handles or tools with pistol-grips are beneficial where the force is
exerted in a straight line in the same direction as the straightened forearm and wrist, especially
when the force must be applied horizontally.

Tools with straight handles are for tasks where the force is exerted perpendicular to the
straightened forearm and wrist, for instance, when the force must be applied vertically.

Shaped tools such as bent-handle tools are effective where most of the tasks are done in the same
plane and height as the arm and hand, and when only one or two other tools are used

Bend the tool, not the wrists -- however correct and valuable does not always prevent discomfort
and injuries when bent-handle tools are used indiscriminately, regardless of the layout of the work
situation.

Length
A handle that is too short can cause unnecessary compression in the middle of the palm. It should
extend across the entire breadth of the palm.

Materials and texture of handles

To ensure a good grip on a handle, sufficient friction must exist between the hand and the handle.
This is particularly important where a considerable force must be applied with a sweaty hand. Hand
tools should be made of non-slip, non-conductive and compressible materials. For example,
textured rubber handles provide a good grip, reduce the effort needed to use the tool effectively,
and prevent the tool from slipping out of the hand.

CAUSE OF PROBLEM
The condition of tools is an important factor. Blunt or dull tools such as scissors, cutters, saws,
screwdriver tips, in fact any tools in a poor state of repair, not only compromise safety but also
increase (sometimes by a factor of ten) the effort needed to use them.
Hand-arm vibration due to the use of vibrating hand tools (e.g., saws, grinders, drills, polishers,
jack hammers, concrete vibrators and chain saws) over a long duration and at high intensity could
progressively damage finger and arm nerves and blood vessels. If not treated or stopped, these
damages could progress to MSDs such as hand-arm vibration syndrome (which includes a
particular vascular disorder known as vibration-induced white fingers), as well as neurological
disorders (abnormal nerve conduction speeds and reduced tactile sensitivity) and vibration-induced
bone and joint deformation.
Whole-body vibration arises from work activities such as driving buses, Lorries or tractors, and/ or
operating forklifts, excavators, loaders or dumpers. Whole-body vibration tires the lower back
muscles, increasing the risk of back disorders such as low back pain.

Vibration-Induced White Finger

Vibration-Induced White Finger (VWF), also known as "Dead Finger" or "Dead Hand" is the result
of impaired circulation (poor blood supply in the fingers, caused by the prolonged use of vibrating
tools. The harmful health effects of vibrating tools are related to the length of time that a worker
has been using vibrating tools and to the frequency of the vibration (how fast the tool goes back
and forth).
Temporary tingling or numbness during or soon after use of a vibrating hand tool is not considered
to be VWF, however tingling and numbness in the fingers lasting more than an hour after finishing
work may indicate early stages of VWF.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a group of symptoms in the hand which arise from pressure on
one of the nerves which passes through the palm side of the wrist. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome also
occurs among people having repetitive motion of the wrist or fingers, such as using a cash register,
or picking fish from a net; or with forceful motion of the wrist, such as in using a wrench. Pinching
or flexing with the wrist bent upwards, downwards, or sideways increases the occurrence of CTS.
The symptoms of CTS are frequently worse at night and a person may be awakened from sleep by
pain or the feeling of pins and needles in fingers, hand or wrist.
Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is vibration transmitted from a work process into workers hands and
arms. Vibration syndrome has adverse circulatory and neural effects in the fingers. The signs and
symptoms include numbness, pain, and blanching (turning pale and ashen).

CONCLUSION
Always expect the unexpected. When using a grinder, be aware of your environment and situation.
Keep your mind on the task and be prepared for the possibility of tool kickback. If you are alert, the

tool will be more easily controlled and less dangerous.

A worker using a vibrating hand-held tool should let the tool do the work by grasping it as
lightly as possible, consistent with safe work practice. The tighter the tool is held, the more
vibration is transmitted to the fingers and hand.
Tools should be regularly maintained to keep vibration to a minimum. Keeping the hand
tool sharp, for example, will reduce vibration. Using new grinder wheels will also reduce
vibration.
Using hand grinder with the highest vibration reduction so it can reduced risk of vibrationrelated diseases and ailments, Limiting vibration exposure increases the angle grinders
continuous usage periods without causing discomfort to the tool operator.
Always wear approved eye protection when using hand tools. Metal will fly when it is cut.
Safety glasses protect your eyes and prevent serious injury. Other workers in the vicinity

should wear eye protection, as well. Most accidents happen because one or more safe
operating procedures were not followed.
When using the hand tool, we must :

Avoid high contact forces and static loading

Reduce excessive gripping force or pressure.

Avoid extreme and awkward joint positions.

Avoid twisting hand and wrist motion by using power tools rather than hand tools.

Avoid or limit vibration.

Minimize the amount of force needed to activate trigger devices on power tools.

REFERENCE
https://www.wshc.sg/files/wshc/upload/cms/file/2014/WSH_Guidelines_ImprovingErgonomi
csintheWorkplace.pdf
http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/5510/hand-tools-safety