Subjective Assesment to Determine an Improved Hand Arm Posture of Operator during Hand Drilling

Abstract

Use of Powered hand tools have the potential to create reaction forces that may be related with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. In the present work the aim of the study is to compare elbow angle with subjective rating to improve the hand-arm posture during hand drilling operation. Eleven male and four female participants operated hand drill at three locations: overhead level, eye level and chest level in horizontal position. The corresponding subjective responses were collected to predict most comfortable posture for drilling. The results indicate that most comfortable posture for drilling is the eye level and chest level, while overhead level is found to be uncomfortable .