Supplemental Information: Tool IndexThe tools listed below have ergonomic advantages that help electricians. These tools may reduce discomfort and injuries that are often associated with older, non-ergonomically designed tools.
Aerial lifts
Aerial lifts provide a level work platform and allow
employees to reach high places with ease, reducing the amount
of overhead and horizontal reaching that is required. These lifts come in boom, reach, and scissor models.
Bent handles
Figure 1
Bent-handled tools help maintain
straight
wrist postures (left
panel) as opposed
to bending the wrist to
use
straight handed tools
(right panel).
Figure 2
Pliers handle is bent to minimize the wrist bending.
Figure 3
Using a pistol grip tool.
Some tools may have a bend
in the handle to accommodate
performance of a task while
maintaining a straight,
neutral wrist posture. The
nature and degree of the
bend is dependent upon the
task being performed.
In Figure 1, the
left panel shows a 45 degree
bend in the tool so the
wrist can be maintained in a
neutral posture. In right
panel, the handle is
straight and the wrist must
be bent. In Figure 2, the
pliers handle is bent to
minimize the wrist bending
when working on a vertical
work surface.
Use of
pistol grip tools
(Figure 3) maintains a
neutral wrist posture when
working on vertical surface
at about waist height or
when working on a horizontal
work below waist height.
Digging tools
There are different shovels and spades for different jobs, including square-blade, round-nose, triangular, and trenching/hole-digging shovels. Use the right tool, with a handle in good repair, without splinters.
Extension handles
Extension handles reduce the amount of reaching required to do certain tasks. This reduces back and shoulder strain.
Foot pumps
This hydraulic foot pump allows the operator to use foot power and free the hands to hold the work piece.
Forklifts
In a warehouse setting, a forklift is essential for lifting large loads that have not been broken down.
Gloves
Gloves
should be fitted to the user. A
glove that is too small
restricts opening of the hand
requiring increased finger
force. A glove that is too
large, can create bulkiness that
restricts closing of the hand
increasing the finger force
required to perform a task.
Gloves can be slick and reduce
the tactile
feel both of which force employees to exert
more finger force to achieve a
feeling of control when using
tools. The addition of
rubberized or sticky nubs or
coatings will improve the grip
and increase control when using
gloves
However, gloves are important to
protect the hand from cold,
cuts, punctures and possible
chemical agents. Gloves with
padded palms and fingers can
also protect against contact
stress from tools and work
surfaces.
There are a variety of gloves
for different situations. There
are lined gloves, unlined
gloves, gloves with no cuff,
medium cuff and long cuff.
Cut-resistant Kevlar® gloves
(pictured) provide extra
protection against cuts and
scratches.
Hydraulic tools
Hydraulic tools reduce the hand power needed for cutting, wire-stripping, and crimping operations. This tool uses a remote hydraulic pump so only the tool needs to be lifted, instead of the whole pump mechanism as well.
In-line grip
Some
tools are designed with handles
that run the same direction as
the length of the tool. This
design is appropriate when
working at about waist height on
a horizontal work surface or
above shoulder height on a
vertical work surface.
Kickback clutch
Tools equipped with a kickback clutch are safer and reduce the risk of having a tool jump or move unpredictably.
Knee pads
When kneeling is required, knee pads ease the stress on knees and allow
employees to kneel for longer periods of time.
Ladders and stools
Ladders and stools allow
employees to get closer to their work and keep hands and arms closer to the body. This reduces strain placed on the arms, shoulders, and back.
Manual conduit benders
Manual conduit benders are lighter, less expensive and more portable than mechanical conduit benders. They are useful for smaller gauges of conduit.
These benders should be fitted with long, rigid handles without scratches or dents. Use manual conduit benders correctly and let the tool do the work instead of the back.
Material lifts
Material lifts serve the same function as forklifts, but they are more portable and can be taken to the work site. Manual and powered models are available.
Mechanical conduit benders
Mechanical conduit benders make bending conduit easy,
especially for large diameter material. The machine does the work, so
employees don't have to bend conduit manually. They are often mounted on wheels so they can be rolled to different locations.
Mechanical wire pullers
Mechanical wire pullers do the work of pulling, reducing the strain that would occur from doing this manually. They also save time and increase productivity.
Motorized hand trucks
These special hand trucks climb stairs, lift
onto tailgates, and make moving easy. The initial investment pays off in time saved and injury costs avoided.
Padded tool belts and suspenders
Padded tool belts reduce potential contact stress by evenly distributing the weight that tool belts and bags place on hips. Suspenders ease the burden of tool belts and bags by distributing some of the weight to the shoulders.
Padded tool handles
Tools like this crimping/cutting tool are fitted with padded handles that ease the stress placed on hands
by spreading the force over a wider area. They provide a good grip, which reduces slipping.
Pistol grip
Many
tools are designed with a
pistol-style grip. This design
is appropriate for work on a
vertical work surface at about
waist to chest height or when
working on a horizontal surface
at mid thigh or lower. Can also
be used when working on a
horizontal surface directly over
head.
Portable Pulley
The
pulley wheel is temporarily
suspended from the ceiling. The
cables to be pulled run over the
top of the wheel, allowing the
employee to pull while standing
on the floor and working in a
neutral posture. Another pulley
positioned at the end of the
process allows the other
employee to feed the cables
while in a similar posture.
Powered tools
Powered tools, like this
battery-powered cable cutter, speed up tasks and reduce the strain that occurs from using a comparable hand-powered tool. This is especially helpful when
employees must do many cutting or crimping operations over a short span of time. Battery-powered tools are usually lighter and more portable than hydraulic tools.
Ratcheting tools
Tools like this PVC cutter are equipped with a ratcheting mechanism. This allows an easier, incremental squeezing effort to operate the tool, easing strain on hands and wrists.
Reach forklifts
Reach forklifts can lift materials to great heights, and place large loads into trucks or on platforms.
Roll-out truck bed decks
Roll-out truck bed decks bring the material
to the employee and provide easy access to the contents of a truck bed. This eliminates the need to climb in a cramped truck bed area or reach over the sides of the truck.
Storage tools
Storage units like this one allow easy access to tools and supplies. Some are mobile and can be placed close to the work area, reducing the distance tools and supplies must be carried.
Tool handles
Figure 1
Tool handle about four to five inches in length.
Figure 2
"C-shape" hand posture.
Figure 3
Tools with rounded handles so no sharp edges come in contact with the hand.
The tool handle should be
about four to five inches
(Figure 1) in
length so that it fully extends
across the palm of the hand. The
screwdriver or hammer-like
handle should have a diameter of
about 1.5 inches.
A dual-handle tool, such as
pliers, should have a span of 2
1/2 to 3 1/2 inches. This should
allow most employees to maintain
a "C-shape" hand posture (Figure
2) while gripping the tool.
Tools should have slip-resistant
surface to improve control and
grip. Handles should be rounded
handles so that no sharp edges
come in contact with the hand
(Figure 3). Handles may be
padded to spread the force over
a wider area. Generally, a
screwdriver-type handle with a
triangular shape provides more
efficient exertion of force.
The handle should be
appropriately modified to the
task being performed to minimize
wrist bending. The wrist should
remain as straight as possible
while using the tool.
Ergonomic Design for
People at Work, Volume 2.
Eastman Kodak Company,
(1986).
Tool stands
This battery-powered cable cutter rests in a stand that frees hands and improves the cutting process. This stand may remain unattached or it may be fastened to a work bench.
Transport devices
Transport devices, like this spool cart, make moving smaller loads easy. Other moving tools include hand trucks, utility carts, and platform trucks.
Truck bins
Truck bins give easy access to equipment without the need to crawl into the back of a truck or van.
Truck ramps
Truck ramps are essential when moving large
tools such as a cable puller or powered
conduit benders. They reduce the amount of lifting required to move heavy
items into the back of a truck. Materials may instead be wheeled or pushed.
Vehicle lifts
Vehicle lifts allow heavy loads such as a
mechanical cable puller or conduit benders to be moved in and out of trucks and vans with ease, requiring less manual lifting to unload vehicles.
WAGO connectors
Wire is pushed into the holes of these connectors and require no tools. This saves time and reduces wrist strain.
The tools listed below have ergonomic advantages that help electricians. These tools may reduce discomfort and injuries that are often associated with older, non-ergonomically designed tools.
Extension handles reduce the amount of reaching required to do certain tasks. This reduces back and shoulder strain.
This hydraulic foot pump allows the operator to use foot power and free the hands to hold the work piece.
In a warehouse setting, a forklift is essential for lifting large loads that have not been broken down.
Gloves
should be fitted to the user. A
glove that is too small
restricts opening of the hand
requiring increased finger
force. A glove that is too
large, can create bulkiness that
restricts closing of the hand
increasing the finger force
required to perform a task.
Hydraulic tools reduce the hand power needed for cutting, wire-stripping, and crimping operations. This tool uses a remote hydraulic pump so only the tool needs to be lifted, instead of the whole pump mechanism as well.
Some
tools are designed with handles
that run the same direction as
the length of the tool. This
design is appropriate when
working at about waist height on
a horizontal work surface or
above shoulder height on a
vertical work surface.
When kneeling is required, knee pads ease the stress on knees and allow
employees to kneel for longer periods of time.
Ladders and stools allow
employees to get closer to their work and keep hands and arms closer to the body. This reduces strain placed on the arms, shoulders, and back.
Manual conduit benders are lighter, less expensive and more portable than mechanical conduit benders. They are useful for smaller gauges of conduit.
Material lifts serve the same function as forklifts, but they are more portable and can be taken to the work site. Manual and powered models are available.
Mechanical conduit benders make bending conduit easy,
especially for large diameter material. The machine does the work, so
employees don't have to bend conduit manually. They are often mounted on wheels so they can be rolled to different locations.
Mechanical wire pullers do the work of pulling, reducing the strain that would occur from doing this manually. They also save time and increase productivity.
These special hand trucks climb stairs, lift
onto tailgates, and make moving easy. The initial investment pays off in time saved and injury costs avoided.
Padded tool belts reduce potential contact stress by evenly distributing the weight that tool belts and bags place on hips. Suspenders ease the burden of tool belts and bags by distributing some of the weight to the shoulders.
Tools like this crimping/cutting tool are fitted with padded handles that ease the stress placed on hands
by spreading the force over a wider area. They provide a good grip, which reduces slipping.
The
pulley wheel is temporarily
suspended from the ceiling. The
cables to be pulled run over the
top of the wheel, allowing the
employee to pull while standing
on the floor and working in a
neutral posture. Another pulley
positioned at the end of the
process allows the other
employee to feed the cables
while in a similar posture. 
Powered tools, like this
battery-powered cable cutter, speed up tasks and reduce the strain that occurs from using a comparable hand-powered tool. This is especially helpful when
employees must do many cutting or crimping operations over a short span of time. Battery-powered tools are usually lighter and more portable than hydraulic tools.
Tools like this PVC cutter are equipped with a ratcheting mechanism. This allows an easier, incremental squeezing effort to operate the tool, easing strain on hands and wrists.
Reach forklifts can lift materials to great heights, and place large loads into trucks or on platforms.
Roll-out truck bed decks bring the material
to the employee and provide easy access to the contents of a truck bed. This eliminates the need to climb in a cramped truck bed area or reach over the sides of the truck.
Storage units like this one allow easy access to tools and supplies. Some are mobile and can be placed close to the work area, reducing the distance tools and supplies must be carried.
This battery-powered cable cutter rests in a stand that frees hands and improves the cutting process. This stand may remain unattached or it may be fastened to a work bench.
Transport devices, like this spool cart, make moving smaller loads easy. Other moving tools include hand trucks, utility carts, and platform trucks.
Truck bins give easy access to equipment without the need to crawl into the back of a truck or van.
Truck ramps are essential when moving large
tools such as a cable puller or powered
conduit benders. They reduce the amount of lifting required to move heavy
items into the back of a truck. Materials may instead be wheeled or pushed.
Vehicle lifts allow heavy loads such as a
mechanical cable puller or conduit benders to be moved in and out of trucks and vans with ease, requiring less manual lifting to unload vehicles.
Wire is pushed into the holes of these connectors and require no tools. This saves time and reduces wrist strain.
Back to Top