Development of a system that can be used in the field to measure the coupling forces at the interface between the hand and the handle of portable vibrating tools Abstract Worker exposure to hand-arm vibrations may lead to various health problems involving the circulation (Raynaud’s syndrome), a loss of sensitivity in the fingers, or may even worsen various musculoskeletal disorders. The vibration dose received by workers is currently quantified according to the provisions of international standard ISO 5349, which provides guiding principles for measuring and evaluating the vibrations transmitted by hand-held tools. However, several research teams are questioning certain aspects of this standard, such as frequency weighting and the non-consideration of coupling forces such as the gripping force and thrusting force. The aim of this research project is to develop a low-cost system for measuring the static and dynamic forces that are exerted between the hand and the handle during work with vibrating tools, based on the type of tool, the operator’s posture, and his work habits. The generalized use of such a system will allow a better estimation of the health risks associated with the operation of vibrating portable tools and also, the identification of solution scenarios for minimizing these forces in order to preserve the workers’ health. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports A laboratory study of a low-cost system for measuring coupling forces Research Report: R-920, R-923 Video Reports and Conferences Development of a system that can be used in the field to measure the coupling forces at the interface between the hand and the handle of portable vibrating tools Conference: CF-202System to measure the coupling forces at the interface between the hand and the handle of portable vibrating tools Video Summary: CS-003 Simplified Articles Mesurer les doses vibratoires des outils : Pour mieux estimer les risques pour la santé Volume 29, n0 2 Scientific Publications Development of a low-cost system to evaluate coupling forces on real power tool handlesPierre Marcotte, Adewusi S., Rakheja S.Source : in Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference on Hand-Arm Vibration : Douzième congrès international sur les vibrations mains-bras, (12th: June 13-17, 2011, Ottawa, Canada). Canadian Acoustics / Acoustique canadienne, vol. 39, no 2, 2011, p. 36-37Evaluation of coupling forces on power tool handles using a thin film resistive pressure sensorPierre Marcotte, Rakheja S., Kalra M., Dewangan K. N.Source : in American Conference on Human Vibration : Proceedings of the 5th American Conference on Human Vibration, (5th : June 10-13, 2014 : Ontario, Canada), Oliver, M. (ed.), 2014, p. 45-46Development and assessment of a coupling force measurement system applied to stationary and vibrating tool handlesMayank K.Source : Mémoire de maîtrise, Montréal, Université Concordia, 2014Développement d’un système de mesure des forces de couplage à l’interface main-poignée d’outils portatifs vibrants pouvant être utilisé sur le terrainPierre MarcotteSource : Communication présentée au Rendez-vous de la science de l'IRSST, Montréal, Canada.Evaluation of low-cost resistive sensors for measurements of hand forces on vibrating handlesRakheja S., Pierre Marcotte, Dewangan K. N., Kalra M.Source : Communication présentée à 13th International Conference on Hand-Arm Vibration, Beijing, Chine, 2015 (p. 47-48).Measurement of coupling forces at the power tool handle-hand interfaceKalra M., Rakheja S., Pierre Marcotte, Dewangan K. N., Adewusi S.Source : (2015). International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 50, 105-120. doi: 10.1016/j.ergon.2015.09.013Feasibility analysis of low-cost flexible resistive sensors for measurements of driving point mechanical impedance of the hand-arm systemsKalra M., Rakheja S., Pierre Marcotte, Dewangan K. N., Adewusi S.Source : (2015). International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 49, 44-52. Other Project(s) You May be Interested in Optimization of an Operatorless Test Bench to Measure Noise and Vibrations from Nail GunsDevelopment of a methodology for assessing the performance of anti-vibration gloves in reducing vibrations while considering dexteriy and grip strength Additional Information Type: Project Number: 0099-6570 Status: Completed Year of completion: 2015 Research Field: Mechanical and Physical Risk Prevention Team: Pierre Marcotte (IRSST)Jérôme Boutin (IRSST)Subhash Rakheja (Université Concordia)