| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 548501 | Applied Ergonomics | 2012 | 7 Pages |
Hand-held power tools used for fastening operations exert high dynamic forces on the operator's hand-arm, potentially causing injuries to the operator in the long run. This paper presents a study that analyzed the vibrations exerted by two hand-held power tools used for fastening operations with the operating exhibiting different postures. The two pneumatic tools, a right-angled nut-runner and an offset pistol-grip, are used to install shearing-type fasteners. A tri-axial accelerometer is used to measure the tool's vibration. The position and orientation of the transducer mounted on the tool follows the ISO-5349 Standard. The measured vibration data is used to compare the two power tools at different operating postures. The data analysis determines the number of years required to reach a 10% probability of developing finger blanching. The results indicate that the pistol-grip tool induces more vibration in the hand-arm than the right-angled nut-runner and that the vibrations exerted on the hand-arm vary for different postures.
► Tool vibrations measured at six different postures using two tools. ► Vibration effect analyzed using ISO-5349 Standards. ► Pistol-grip tool has higher vibration than right-angled nut-runner. ► No. of years taken to 10% probability of finger blanching varies with postures.
