Hand tool design, ergonomics, and aesthetic perception in workplace safety

¶ … designing tools to be used by consumers or workers, it is widely assumed that the product must be both visually appealing as well as ergonomically functional. In certain workplace applications, if specific tools are not used, injuries may occur. Previous research on hand tools required in factory work, such as gripping tongs, have found that the product may be ignored if it is perceived to be cumbersome to use. According to the article, "The influence of different hand tool designs on the perception of aesthetics, ergonomics and usability," a "hand tool must be perceived to be usable, ergonomic and visually appealing in order for the users to benefit from the tools" and knowledge of how to enhance the perception of the user of the product's value is an essential component in ensuring that the tool is used properly (Syed 2012: 241)

A statement of the research problem

"It has been proven that there is a connection between the design of hand tools and the occurrence of upper limb disorders" (Syed 2012: 241). The study attempted to understand how to create a hand tool that was both perceived as having greater utility and which actually possessed such utility. Two types of tongs were evaluated over the course of the study, one which was a proposed workplace tong, the other of which was in current use in the workplace.

A description of research procedures

Fifty undergraduates were given questionnaires in which they were asked to compare the proposed design (R2) and the existing design (R1) for the tongs. The respondents evaluated the two objects based upon pictures of R1 and R2. The figures were rated on a Likert type scale, from 1 (least agreeable) to 6 (most agreeable), without a neutral option. The aesthetics of the tongs were also rated, using a scale from 1 to 10, in which 1 indicated least beautiful and 10 the most beautiful.

Analysis of the data

There was a preference for the R2 design, both in terms of perceived ease of use and ease of performing the task (ergonomics) as well as for its greater aesthetic appeal. There was a weak correlation between the perceived ease of use and the aesthetic appeal of the product.

Limited and justifiable conclusions

In the conclusion, the author states that "the weak correlation between product aesthetics and the perception of ergonomics may be explained by the difficulty in perceiving ergonomic features. Ergonomic features are hard to perceive, for example grip force requirement and handle length," but that may merely be a function of the design of this particular item, rather than true in all instances (Syed 2012: 243). The author does suggest that more research is needed, and when designing products he believes aesthetics should be given some consideration, not necessarily to enhance the beauty of the tool, but to convince users of its efficacy.