Frequently Asked Questions: Ergonomics and Hand Protection
- By Michael S. Zedalis, Keitha Kessler
- Apr 12, 2007
When the hands become fatigued, often the entire body experiences fatigue, which reduces productivity. Awkward, painful postures are another concern.
SOARING medical costs and production losses resulting from repetitive motion
injuries and related musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel
syndrome, are inciting safety personnel to rapidly advance their consideration
of ergonomically designed products that can reduce these types of injuries.
Below are answers to common questions related to ergonomics and hand protection
products--their safety, performance, quality improvements, and cost
advantages.
Why is it becoming increasingly important to use hand protection products
with an ergonomic design?
Individuals who do not use the proper hand
protection for a specific task may end up working in an unsafe manner.
Ergonomically designed hand protection can maximize worker protection while
increasing productivity, with the added benefit of reducing hand fatigue. Gloves
made of cut-resistant yarns, for example, can be formed to the natural shape of
the hand to enhance a worker's movement, allowing the hands to bend and the
fingers to flex more freely.
Comfort may be linked to the gloves' ability to protect from heat or cold,
manage moisture (perspiration), hydrate the skin, and enhance the skin's
elasticity.
Workers handling parts in an auto body or boat assembly operation, for
instance, must be able to grip small, oily parts without exerting extra force.
When a worker does not have a secure wet grip, the person may change his or her
posture to compensate or place more stress on the muscles and joints than would
be necessary if the grip were adequate. This situation could indirectly lead to
back injury or a musculoskeletal disorder such as carpal tunnel
syndrome--especially if the worker is performing the task repeatedly.
Why are ergonomically designed hand protection products more in vogue now
than in the past?
As with everything else, the
demands on hand protection products are increasing. Companies and their workers
have more requirements related to their safety programs and hand protection
products than ever before. More stringent OSHA regulations and a growing number
of lawsuits require employers to provide safe equipment and a safe working
environment. Most manufacturers monitor lost time work injuries and consider
them a serious issue in terms of employee welfare and the bottom line. Employers
want to know whether the hand protection products and safety equipment they are
providing benefit workers in terms of safety and productivity.
What are some features I should look for in ergonomically designed
gloves?
Beyond protection, fit and feel (comfort) are always essential.
If the gloves do not fit like a second skin and allow maximum flexibility, then
other ergonomic benefits will have a smaller performance impact. Proper fit and
comfort are especially important for workers who suffer from arthritis or may
not have greater levels of muscle strength.
Gloves that are too small may restrict movement and blood flow and lead to
cramping, hand fatigue, and perspiration. When the hands become fatigued, often
the entire body experiences fatigue, which reduces productivity. Gloves that are
too large and bulky decrease a worker's dexterity and may result in the worker's
straining to perform the required tasks. Gloves that are too large also can pose
a safety hazard for individuals who are working near equipment with moving parts
or pinch points.
Glove comfort, however, goes beyond fit. Depending upon the application,
comfort may be linked to the gloves' ability to protect from heat or cold,
manage moisture (perspiration), hydrate the skin, and enhance the skin's
elasticity. Gloves should also be easy to put on and take off, which will reduce
stress and strain on muscles and joints, as well as the time needed to don and
doff the product.
In some cases, having an adequate level of cut protection may be considered
an ergonomic benefit. If a worker must handle a knife or sharp glass and is
fearful of receiving a cut injury, for example, he or she may grip the object
tighter than necessary, which results in increased stress, strain, and hand
fatigue. In situations where grip is inadequate, the risk of cuts may
increase.
Are ergonomically designed hand protection products more critical for
specific jobs in certain industries?
Absolutely. Just as different
products offer the safety features required for certain applications (e.g., cut
resistance for glass handling and insulation for workers performing tasks in
cold environments), gloves with tailored ergonomic features are better suited
for specific tasks.
In most instances, a glove's ergonomic features will be combined with
other performance/safety characteristics that are required for the application.
This article originally appeared in the April 2007 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.