Improvement of a cutting flowers tool by using ergonomic design

Abstract

The risk factors for developing the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include the required strength to perform the apprehension gesture and the wrist posture; where the Colombian flowers sector has the highest rates. The objective of this study is the development and validation of manual tool to cut flowers, maintaining the same grip diameter on the fingers while it is being used, with the aim of improving the mechanical advantage and mitigate the strength factor. For this, two phases were developed: proposal of a functional model of the cutting tool and its laboratory validation. The research found that tool type is associated with finger strength, and that the tool proposed presented the smallest strength value, reducing the necessary strength to make the cut. This research showed that it is necessary to develop tools with specific requirements for the Colombian population and thus mitigate occupational diseases that can leave life-long injuries and generate disability.

Keywords

• apprehension gesture
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• cutting tool
• finger strength