Evaluating factors that influence hand-arm stress while operating an electric screwdriver

The objective of this study is to evaluate the factors contributing toward hand-arm stress while operating an electric screwdriver. Hand-arm stress was investigated in terms of individual finger force exertion, flexor digitorum EMG, and hand-transmitted vibration. Two activation modes (push and push plus trigger (P + T)), two preset shut-off torque levels (low and high) and three horizontal operating distances (far, middle, and near) were evaluated. Thirteen healthy male subjects drove screws into a horizontally mounted iron plate with pre-tapped screw holes using an in-line electric screwdriver in randomly ordered experimental combinations. The results indicate that using push-to-start mode at low torque level was better than the other combinations of activation mode x torque because it resulted in less hand-arm stress. In addition, the far distance level (33-45 cm away from the work table edge) caused greater stress than the middle and near distances, and hence is best avoided. While operating an in-line electrical screwdriver, the force contribution of the small finger was greatest, followed by the ring finger. The average force contributions of the index, middle, ring, and small fingers were 19, 25, 27, and 30%, respectively, while operating with push-to-start mode. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.