This paper reviews the use of handles on containers and manually propelled vehicles. It is concluded that handle shape and size are relatively easy to define, but placement of handles on containers represents a more difficult problem. Laboratory and field studies of hand and handle placement are reviewed with the conclusion that handles should be placed so as to give both horizontal and vertical stability, except for heavy lifting, in which a symmetrical handle placement may be preferred, as it minimizes arm forces.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Ayoub, M. M., and LoPresti, P.The determination of optimum size cylindrical handle by use of EMG. Ergonomics, 1971, 14, 509–518.
2.
Ayoub, M. M., and McDaniel, J. W.Effects of operator stance on pushing and pulling tasks. AIIE Transactions, 1974, 63, 185–195.
3.
Borg, G.Physical performance and perceived exertion. Lund, Sweden: Gleerups, 1962.
4.
Brooks, B. M., Ruffell-Smith, H. P., and Ward, J. S.An investigation of factors affecting the use of buses by both elderly and ambulant disabled passengers (BL/TRRL Contract Report No. CON/3140/32). Crawthorne, England: TRRL1974.
5.
Cochran, D. J., and Riley, M. W.An evaluation of handle shapes and sizes. In Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 26th Annual Meeting. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors Society, 1982, 408–412.
6.
Corlett, E. N., and Bishop, R. B.A technique for assessing postural discomfort. Ergonomics, 1976, 19, 175–182.
7.
Coury, B. G., and Drury, C. G.Optimum handle positions in a box-holding task. Ergonomics, 1982, 25.645–662.
8.
Damon, A., Stoudt, H. W., and McFarland, R. A.The human body in equipment design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1966.
9.
Drury, C. G.Handles for manual materials handling. Applied Ergonomics, 11, 1980, 35–42.
10.
Drury, C. G., Barnes, R. E., and Daniels, E. G.Pedestrian operated vehicles in hospitals. In AIIE annual conferences proceedings. Washington, DC: AIIE, 1975, 184-191.
11.
Drury, C. G., Law, C. H., and Pawenski, C. S.A survey of industrial box handling. Human Factors, 1982, 24, 553–565.
12.
Garg, A., and Saxena, U.Container characteristics and maximum acceptable weight of lift. Human Factors, 1980, 22, 487–496.
13.
Garret, J. W.The adult human hand, some anthropometric and biomechanical considerations. Human Factors, 1971, 13, 117–131.
14.
Greenberg, L., and Chaffin, D. B.Workers and their tools, Midland, MI: Perdlel Publishing Co., 1979.
15.
HEDGE. Human factors data guide for evaluation. Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD: U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, 1974.
16.
Hertzberg, H. T. E.Some contributions of applied physical anthropometry to human engineering, Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 1955, 63, 616–629.
17.
Khalil, T. M.An electromyographic methodology for the evaluation of industrial design. Human Factors, 1973, 15, 257–264.
18.
Kraemer, K. H. E.Horizontal push and pull forces. Applied Ergonomics, 1974, 5, 94–102.
19.
Mital, A., and Ayoub, M. M.Effect of task variables and their interactions in lifting and lowering loads. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 1981, 42, 134–142.
20.
Napier, J. R.The prehensile movement of the human hand. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 38-B. 4, 1956, 902–913.
21.
Nielson, W. J. Personal communication, 1978.
22.
Pheasant, S., and O'Neill, D.Performance in gripping and turning—A study in hand/handle effectiveness. Applied Ergonomics, 1975, 6, 205–208.
23.
Rigby, L.Why do people drop things?Quality ProgressSeptember, 1973, 16–19.
24.
Rubarth, B.Untersuchung zur bestgestaltung von hand-heften für schraubenzeiher und ähnlich werkzeuge. Industrielle Psychotechnik, 19285.5, 129–142. (quoted in S. Konz, Work design. Columbus, OH: Grid, 1979).
25.
Saran, C.Biomechanical evaluation of T-handles for a pronation-supination task. Journal of Occupational Medicine, 1973, 15.9, 712–716.
26.
Snook, S. H.The design of manual materials handling tasks. Ergonomics, 1978, 21, 963–985.
27.
Steinfeld, E., Czaja, S., and Beer, J.Human factors research with disabled children. Buffalo, NY: School of Architecture and Environmental Design, SUNY at Buffalo, 1981.
28.
Tichauer, E. R.Ergonomic aspects of biomechanics. The industrial environment: Its evaluation and control. Cincinnati, OH: NIOSH, 1973.
29.
Ulate, C. Ulnar and radial wrist deviations in a one-handed static holding task. Unpublished masters' thesis, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1980.
30.
Wang, M. L., Bishu, R. R., and Rogers, S. H. The effects of gloves on grip forces. Unpublished report, Department of Industrial Engineering, SUNY at Buffalo, 1983.
31.
Woodson, W. E., and Conover, D. W.Human engineering guide for equipment designers. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1964.
