Tactile Inspection Performance with and without Gloves

Abstract

A firm whose inspectors tactually inspected hydraulic hose was interested whether gloves would help or hinder their inspectors. Eight female subjects, while blindfolded, each inspected 600 hoses–150 for each of the four glove conditions (bare hand, surgeon's gloves, Playtex gloves, and vinyl-impregnated gloves). The subjects indicated whether the hose was acceptable, defective due to diameter, or defective due to surface roughness. The data was divided into that obtained when the hoses were acceptable and that when there was a defect.

For good hoses, gloves did not affect error rate for either diameter defects or surface defects. For defective hoses, gloves did not affect error rate for either diameter defects or surface defects. Thus the decision whether or not to wear gloves can be made on other criteria (such as protection of the hand vs abrasion or chemicals). A signal detection analysis was made. Some other ergonomic suggestions for improved inspection performance are given.