Design options for improving protective gloves for industrial assembly work.

The study investigated the effects of wearing two new designs of cotton glove on several hand performance capabilities and compared them against the effects of barehanded, single-layered and double cotton glove conditions when working with hand tools (screwdriver and pliers). The new glove designs were based on the findings of subjective hand discomfort assessments for this type of work and aimed to match the glove thickness to the localised pressure and sensitivity in different areas of the hand as well as to provide adequate dexterity for fine manipulative tasks. The results showed that the first prototype glove and the barehanded condition were comparable and provided better dexterity and higher handgrip strength than double thickness gloves.

The use of schoolbags and musculoskeletal symptoms among primary school children: are the recommended weight limits adequate?

Unlabelled: This cross-sectional study investigated the use of schoolbags and the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among a sample of 307 Iranian primary school children aged 7-12 years. The average load carried by the children was 2.9 kg (representing on average 10.

Methodology for evaluating gloves in relation to the effects on hand performance capabilities: a literature review.

The present study was conducted to review the literature on the methods that have been considered appropriate for evaluation of the effects of gloves on different aspects of hand performance, to make recommendations for the testing and assessment of gloves, and to identify where further research is needed to improve the evaluation protocols. Eighty-five papers meeting the criteria for inclusion were reviewed. Many studies show that gloves may have negative effects on manual dexterity, tactile sensitivity, handgrip strength, muscle activity and fatigue and comfort, while further research is needed to determine glove effects on pinch strength, forearm torque strength and range of finger and wrist movements.

Using pliers in assembly work: short and long task duration effects of gloves on hand performance capabilities and subjective assessments of discomfort and ease of tool manipulation.

The present study investigated the effects of wearing typical industrial gloves on hand performance capabilities (muscle activity, wrist posture, touch sensitivity, hand grip and forearm torque strength) and subjective assessments for an extended duration of performing a common assembly task, wire tying with pliers, which requires a combination of manipulation and force exertion. Three commercially available gloves (cotton, nylon and nitrile gloves) were tested and compared with a bare hand condition while participants performed the simulated assembly task for 2 h. The results showed that wearing gloves significantly increased the muscle activity, wrist deviation, and discomfort whilst reducing hand grip strength, forearm torque strength and touch sensitivity.

Short and longer duration effects of protective gloves on hand performance capabilities and subjective assessments in a screw-driving task.

The study investigated short and longer duration effects of gloves on hand performance capabilities (muscle activity, dexterity, touch sensitivity, finger pinch and forearm torque strength) and subjective assessments of discomfort and ease of manipulation when performing a light assembly task. The independent variables were hand condition with four levels (wearing cotton, nylon or nitrile gloves as well as barehanded) and point of time within the 2 h duration of the task (with measurements taken at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min). Participants worked with a screwdriver to fit two components together using screws.

Ready steady push--a study of the role of arm posture in manual exertions.

This study investigated arm posture and hand forces during bi-manual pushing. Nine male and eight female participants performed isometric exertions at two reach distances (0 and elbow-grip) and six different positions of the hand interface (handle), defined by the plane (longitudinal, lateral, horizontal) and orientation (0 degrees and 45 degrees). Electrogoniometer instruments were used to measure the displacements/postures of the wrist and elbow joints and the forearm, and force measuring strain gauges were used to measure the exerted hand forces (x-, y- and z-components).

Developing a verbal protocol method for collecting and analysing reports of workers' thoughts during manual handling tasks.

Concurrent and retrospective verbal protocol methods were used to collect thoughts from 18 participants during a manual handling task involving the repeated transfer of loads between locations at two tables. The effectiveness of qualitative and quantitative methods of analysing the reported information was tested in the study. A simple taxonomy was developed to investigate the content of the reports (including reports on postures and loads) and determine how the participants approached the task (whether they made plans, described actions or evaluated their completion of the task).

Use of concurrent and retrospective verbal protocols to investigate workers' thoughts during a manual-handling task.

A manual handling task (an order picking task in a distribution warehouse) was investigated using concurrent verbal protocols and retrospective verbal protocols (applied at three different times after completion of the task). The study aimed to collect workers' thoughts during the task and to determine what workers are comfortable with reporting. Video recordings of the task were used as a means of investigating the accuracy of the information which was reported.

Pouring liquid from a pot-kinematics of an everyday task.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of handle design on postures in the use of pots. Six combinations of handle (sloping, vertical and curved) and spout designs (long and short) were tested during grasping, lifting and pouring. The fill load was 1000 ml of water at the prevailing room temperature (about 20 degrees C) and three males and three females were involved as subjects.

Postures adopted when using a two-wheeled cylinder trolley.

Upper limb and trunk positions were investigated when subjects exerted force to start and move a two-wheeled cylinder trolley with four different handles. Three of the handles had orientations 35 degrees, 50 degrees and 70 degrees in the sagittal plane (relative to the back of the trolley). The fourth was the 50 degrees handles fitted with a link bar.