Ergonomic Design and Evaluation of an Electric Nail Removal Device
Abstract
Nowadays, musculoskeletal disorders resulting from working with improper hand tools have been known as one of the major concerns in various industries. In the current study, an ergonomic nail removal device was proposed to evaluate the intervention for nail removal activity in the woodworking and carpentry industry. Eleven male workers, who were actively involved in nail removing activity, were asked to perform nailing activity by removing nails driven into the bottom and top of the door as the base points for painting the doors using both the nail removal device and the traditional plier. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Strain Index (SI) techniques were used to characterize the level of risk. Moreover, nailing task duration and task repetition were measured as important criteria in manual works. According to the SI and REBA risk indices, the final scores for the designed device were estimated at 2 (low-risk level) and 1.5 (safe), respectively, while these values for the traditional pliers were 12 (high-risk level) and 15 (dangerous). Moreover, using the designed electric nail removal device led to a reduction in the repetition and duration of the task. Overall, the application of the proposed device in the nail removal tasks has shown risk indices below the critical thresholds in terms of correcting work posture and reducing strains imposed on workers' upper limbs.
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14. Barcenilla A, March LM, Chen JS, Sambrook PN. Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to occupation: a meta-analysis. Rheumatology. 2012; 51(2): 250-261.
15. Palmer K, Harris E, Coggon D. Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relation to occupation: a systematic literature review. Occup Med. 2006; 57(1): 57-66.
16. Fellows G, Freivalds A. Ergonomics evaluation of a foam rubber grip for tool handles. Appl Ergon. 1991; 22(4): 225-230.
17. Aldien Y, Welcome D, Rakheja S, Dong R, Boileau P-E. Contact pressure distribution at hand-handle interface: role of hand forces and handle size. Int J Ind Ergon. 2005; 35(3): 267-286.
18. Kuijt-Evers LF, Groenesteijn L, de Looze MP, Vink P. Identifying factors of comfort in using hand tools. Appl Ergon. 2004; 35(5): 453-458.
19. Harih G, Dolšak B. Tool-handle design based on a digital human hand model. Int J Ind Ergon. 2013; 43(4): 288-295.
20. Hogberg D, Backstrand G, Lamkull D, Hanson L, Ortengren R. Industrial customisation of digital human modelling tools. Int J Serv Oper Informat. 2008; 3(1): 53-70.
21. Kuijt-Evers LFM, Bosch T, Huysmans MA, De Looze MP, Vink P. Association between objective and subjective measurements of comfort and discomfort in hand tools. Appl Ergon. 2007; 38(5): 643-654.
22. Päivinen M, Heinimaa T. The usability and ergonomics of axes. Appl Ergon. 2009; 40(4): 790-796.
23. Li KW. Ergonomic evaluation of a fixture used for power driven wire-tying hand tools. Int J Ind Ergon. 2003; 32(2): 71-79.
24. Kim BB. Effect of ergonomic design changes in hand tools on physiological cost and subjective ratings. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2012; 18(2): 267-277.
25. Haque S, Khan AA. Ergonomic design and evaluation of pliers. Work. 2010; 37(2): 135-143.
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27. Steven Moore J, Garg A. The strain index: a proposed method to analyze jobs for risk of distal upper extremity disorders. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1995; 56(5): 443-458.
28. Drinkaus P, Bloswick DS, Sesek R, Mann C, Bernard T. Job level risk assessment using task level strain index scores: a pilot study. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2005; 11(2): 141-152.
29. Drinkaus P, Sesek R, Bloswick D, Bernard T, Walton B, Joseph B, Reeve G, Counts JH. Comparison of ergonomic risk assessment outputs from Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and the Strain Index for tasks in automotive assembly plants. Work. 2002; 21(2): 165-172.
30. Rosecrance J, Paulsen R, Murgia L. Risk assessment of cheese processing tasks using the Strain Index and OCRA Checklist. Int J Ind Ergon. 2017; 61: 142-148.
31. Paulsen R, Gallu T, Gilkey D, Reiser R, Murgia L, Rosecrance J. The inter-rater reliability of Strain Index and OCRA Checklist task assessments in cheese processing. Appl Ergon. 2015; 51: 199-204.
32. Hignett S, McAtamney L. Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Appl Ergon. 2000; 31(2): 201-205.
33. Joshi EG, Lal H. REBA Technique on Small Scale Casting Industry. Int J Emerg Tech. 2014; 5(2): 61.
34. Kamble R, Kulkarni V. Productivity improvement at assembly station using work study techniques. IJRET. 2014; 3(9): 480-487.
35. Aptel M, Claudon L, Marsot J. Integration of ergonomics into hand tool design: principle and presentation of an example. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2002; 8(1): 107-115.
36. Berguer R, Hreljac A. The relationship between hand size and difficulty using surgical instruments: a survey of 726 laparoscopic surgeons. Surg Endosc. 2004; 18(3): 508-512.
37. González A, Barrios-Muriel J, Romero-Sánchez F, Salgado D, Alonso F. Ergonomic assessment of a new hand tool design for laparoscopic surgery based on surgeons’ muscular activity. Appl Ergon. 2020; 88: 103161.
38. Yusoff ISM, Tamrin SBM, Aini M, Ng YG, Ippei M. Oil Palm Workers: Designing Ergonomics Harvesting Tool Using User Centered Design Approach to Reducing Awkward Body Posture by Catia Simulation. Iran J Public Health. 2014; 43(3): 72-80.
39. Caron B, Demicco A, Elliott M, Turner D, Suh D. Design of a nail removal device. Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering. Northeastern University Boston, USA, 2007.
40. Potvin JR, Agnew MJ, Ver Woert C. An ergonomic comparison of pneumatic and electrical pistol grip hand tools. Int J Ind Ergon. 2004; 34(6): 467-478.
2. Kong YK, Lowe BD, Lee SJ, Krieg EF. Evaluation of handle design characteristics in a maximum screwdriving torque task. Ergonomics. 2007; 50(9): 1404-1418.
3. Motamedzade M, Choobineh A, Mououdi MA, Arghami S. Ergonomic design of carpet weaving hand tools. Int J Ind Ergon. 2007; 37(7): 581-587.
4. Dianat I, Nedaei M, Nezami MAM. The effects of tool handle shape on hand performance, usability and discomfort using masons' trowels. Int J Ind Ergon. 2015; 45: 13-20.
5. Aghazadeh F, Mital A. Injuries due to handtools: Results of a questionnaire. Appl Ergon. 1987; 18(4): 273-278.
6. Punnett L, Wegman DH. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: the epidemiologic evidence and the debate. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2004; 14(1): 13-23.
7. Li KW. Ergonomic design and evaluation of wire-tying hand tools. Int J Ind Ergon. 2002; 30(3): 149-161.
8. Cázares-Manríquez MA, Camargo-Wilson C, Vardasca R, García-Alcaraz JL, Olguín-Tiznado JE, López-Barreras JA, et al. Quantitative Models for Prediction of Cumulative Trauma Disorders Applied to the Maquiladora Industry. Int J Environ Res Publ Health. 2021; 18(7): 3830.
9. Houvet P, Obert L. Upper limb cumulative trauma disorders for the orthopaedic surgeon. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2013; 99(1): S104-S14.
10. Barr AE, Barbe MF, Clark BD. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and wrist: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and sensorimotor changes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2004; 34(10): 610-627.
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work 2013. Available from: www.bls.gov/news .release/pdf/osh2.pdf.
12. Kazemi Z, Mazloumi A, Arjmand N, Keihani A, Karimi Z, Ghasemi MS, Kordi R. A Comprehensive Evaluation of Spine Kinematics, Kinetics, and Trunk Muscle Activities During Fatigue-Induced Repetitive Lifting. Hum Factors. 2021.
13. Vahedi Z, Mazloumi A, Sharifnezhad A, Kazemi Z, Garosi E. Head forward flexion, lateral bending and viewing distance while using a smartphone: A comparison between sitting and standing postures. Work. 2020; 67(4): 1-10.
14. Barcenilla A, March LM, Chen JS, Sambrook PN. Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to occupation: a meta-analysis. Rheumatology. 2012; 51(2): 250-261.
15. Palmer K, Harris E, Coggon D. Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relation to occupation: a systematic literature review. Occup Med. 2006; 57(1): 57-66.
16. Fellows G, Freivalds A. Ergonomics evaluation of a foam rubber grip for tool handles. Appl Ergon. 1991; 22(4): 225-230.
17. Aldien Y, Welcome D, Rakheja S, Dong R, Boileau P-E. Contact pressure distribution at hand-handle interface: role of hand forces and handle size. Int J Ind Ergon. 2005; 35(3): 267-286.
18. Kuijt-Evers LF, Groenesteijn L, de Looze MP, Vink P. Identifying factors of comfort in using hand tools. Appl Ergon. 2004; 35(5): 453-458.
19. Harih G, Dolšak B. Tool-handle design based on a digital human hand model. Int J Ind Ergon. 2013; 43(4): 288-295.
20. Hogberg D, Backstrand G, Lamkull D, Hanson L, Ortengren R. Industrial customisation of digital human modelling tools. Int J Serv Oper Informat. 2008; 3(1): 53-70.
21. Kuijt-Evers LFM, Bosch T, Huysmans MA, De Looze MP, Vink P. Association between objective and subjective measurements of comfort and discomfort in hand tools. Appl Ergon. 2007; 38(5): 643-654.
22. Päivinen M, Heinimaa T. The usability and ergonomics of axes. Appl Ergon. 2009; 40(4): 790-796.
23. Li KW. Ergonomic evaluation of a fixture used for power driven wire-tying hand tools. Int J Ind Ergon. 2003; 32(2): 71-79.
24. Kim BB. Effect of ergonomic design changes in hand tools on physiological cost and subjective ratings. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2012; 18(2): 267-277.
25. Haque S, Khan AA. Ergonomic design and evaluation of pliers. Work. 2010; 37(2): 135-143.
26. You H, Kumar A, Young R, Veluswamy P, Malzahn DE. An ergonomic evaluation of manual Cleco plier designs: Effects of rubber grip, spring recoil, and worksurface angle. Appl Ergon. 2005; 36(5): 575-583.
27. Steven Moore J, Garg A. The strain index: a proposed method to analyze jobs for risk of distal upper extremity disorders. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1995; 56(5): 443-458.
28. Drinkaus P, Bloswick DS, Sesek R, Mann C, Bernard T. Job level risk assessment using task level strain index scores: a pilot study. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2005; 11(2): 141-152.
29. Drinkaus P, Sesek R, Bloswick D, Bernard T, Walton B, Joseph B, Reeve G, Counts JH. Comparison of ergonomic risk assessment outputs from Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and the Strain Index for tasks in automotive assembly plants. Work. 2002; 21(2): 165-172.
30. Rosecrance J, Paulsen R, Murgia L. Risk assessment of cheese processing tasks using the Strain Index and OCRA Checklist. Int J Ind Ergon. 2017; 61: 142-148.
31. Paulsen R, Gallu T, Gilkey D, Reiser R, Murgia L, Rosecrance J. The inter-rater reliability of Strain Index and OCRA Checklist task assessments in cheese processing. Appl Ergon. 2015; 51: 199-204.
32. Hignett S, McAtamney L. Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Appl Ergon. 2000; 31(2): 201-205.
33. Joshi EG, Lal H. REBA Technique on Small Scale Casting Industry. Int J Emerg Tech. 2014; 5(2): 61.
34. Kamble R, Kulkarni V. Productivity improvement at assembly station using work study techniques. IJRET. 2014; 3(9): 480-487.
35. Aptel M, Claudon L, Marsot J. Integration of ergonomics into hand tool design: principle and presentation of an example. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2002; 8(1): 107-115.
36. Berguer R, Hreljac A. The relationship between hand size and difficulty using surgical instruments: a survey of 726 laparoscopic surgeons. Surg Endosc. 2004; 18(3): 508-512.
37. González A, Barrios-Muriel J, Romero-Sánchez F, Salgado D, Alonso F. Ergonomic assessment of a new hand tool design for laparoscopic surgery based on surgeons’ muscular activity. Appl Ergon. 2020; 88: 103161.
38. Yusoff ISM, Tamrin SBM, Aini M, Ng YG, Ippei M. Oil Palm Workers: Designing Ergonomics Harvesting Tool Using User Centered Design Approach to Reducing Awkward Body Posture by Catia Simulation. Iran J Public Health. 2014; 43(3): 72-80.
39. Caron B, Demicco A, Elliott M, Turner D, Suh D. Design of a nail removal device. Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering. Northeastern University Boston, USA, 2007.
40. Potvin JR, Agnew MJ, Ver Woert C. An ergonomic comparison of pneumatic and electrical pistol grip hand tools. Int J Ind Ergon. 2004; 34(6): 467-478.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 13 No 4 (2021) | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| Published | 2021-12-30 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/ijoh.v13i4.8425 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Ergonomics Nail removal device REBA Strain Index Musculoskeletal disorders | ||
| Rights and permissions | |
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
How to Cite
1.
Helmi-KohneShahri M, Kazemi Z, Fazli R, PourHossein M, Mazloumi A. Ergonomic Design and Evaluation of an Electric Nail Removal Device. Int J Occup Hyg. 2021;13(4):288-299.
