Ergonomic evaluation of a multipurpose shovel-cum-hoe for manual material handling

Abstract

Shovel, spade and hoe are common implements used in different types of manual material handling (MMH) tasks. So far, to our knowledge, only a few studies have been undertaken to develop a special ergonomically designed tool which will serve the purposes of both the shovel and the hoe. Based on the direct observations and different ergonomic studies on the actual use of the conventional shovel and hoe in different MMH tasks, different prototypes of the combined tool with adjustable length of the handle were made and improved upon after several trials. Design dimensions, physiological responses, productivity and the subjective rating of perceived exertion and the responses of the workers regarding its acceptance by them were studied. It was observed that with the new, ergonomically designed prototype both the purposes of the shovel and the hoe could be attained. The new design is well accepted by the workers. Relevance to industry Notwithstanding the pace of recent technological advances, the majority of the world population, especially in underdeveloped and industrially developing countries, use shovel, spade, and hoe for operations in agriculture, building construction work mines, railway yards, docks, factories, etc., for different MMH tasks. So, if the newly designed implement could bring about even a slight improvement in the work method, it would benefit a large number of industrial and agricultural workers in the developing countries.