Handles are everywhere, from bags to bikes, door knobs, car doors, tools, and various equipment. They're so common that most people take them for granted. But they shouldn't; prolonged use of an inadequate handle can cause health issues, which is why it's important to discuss ergonomics.

In this guide, we'll discuss industrial ergonomic handles, as well as design features that constitute an industrial ergonomic handle. So, let's dive right in.

Source: Reid Supply

 

What is an Industrial Ergonomic Handle?

An industrial ergonomic handle is any handle designed in a way that makes it comfortable for people to use. The ergonomic design encourages the body's natural positioning while eliminating discomfort and mechanical obstructions, greatly diminishing stress caused by repetitive exertions.

When it comes to handles, the ergonomic factors aren't as precise. Handles are often one of the most important factors to consider when adopting ergonomic design principles because they serve as the user's primary interface with any type of tool or object, like a toolbox handle or a door handle.

In most applications, handles tend to be narrow and uncomfortable and, thus, very challenging to use. Depending on your application, inadequately designed handles may lead to poor user experience, and various musculoskeletal disorders, like carpal tunnel.

Ergonomic design is based on anthropometrics— the study of human body measurements — and by using anthropometric data, tools, and equipment manufacturers can choose the most appropriate design when designing their products. In addition, this allows the use of a particular product with lesser muscle activation, which increases the tool's efficiency.

However, industrial handles, such as toggle clamp handles, turn pull handles, and various knobs, are trickier to design. Unlike, for example, a pair of pliers, which come in various sizes and handle types, where one can select the most comfortable pair, industrial ergonomic handles should be designed to be used by anyone using a particular product.

This includes more than just simple cabinet handles; it also includes hand tool handles, power tool handles, door knobs, and various other types of handles.

Ergonomic Handle Design Considerations

Designing industrial ergonomic handles differs from designing ergonomic handles in general, as industrial handles are designed to be used by a broader spectrum of people. In addition, since people come in different sizes, what's ergonomic for one individual, may not be for another.

So, instead of designing a handle using specific anthropomorphic data, you have to use a broader data set. Allow us to explain further.

Handle Size

Handle size generally refers to the combined measurements for handle length and handle diameter. But since we're dealing with multiple users, both female and male, we have to account for broader human factors and incorporate them in our design.

So, let's assume that we're designing a rigged folding handle. Let's start with handle length: since men have larger hands than women, broadly speaking, you want a handle length that can accommodate the largest male hand. According to human anthropometrics, only less than 5% of people have a hand that's wider than 3.8 inches.

You can safely round that to 4 inches, but since we're designing an industrial handle, which is likely to be subjected to force, bumping that to 5 or 5.5 inches won't hurt. The handle of this length can safely accommodate 95% of male and female hands.

For handle diameter, however, you want to use the lowest possible measurement for female hands. According to the data, a handle with a 1.5-inch diameter can accommodate the 5th percentile female's hand to be able to get all the way around it in a full power grip.

That means that the handles of this diameter would be able to accommodate 95% of female hands and a higher percentage for men — considering that men generally have larger hands.

The exception to these rules would be precision hand tools, which would require a precision grip rather than a power grip.

Handle Shape and Angle

The product-vs-target use direction should determine the handle angle. The fundamental goal of handle angle is to keep users' wrists in a neutral position so they may exert the required power with all of their strength while reducing force exertion on their wrist joints.

For instance, the in-line handle on an immersion blender allows users to keep their wrists in a neutral position while using the device. On the other hand, a typical doorknob isn't considered ergonomic; because of its rounded surface, turning the handle all the way demands a firm hold from the user.

L-handles and T-handles are good examples of industrial ergonomic handles. They have a generous grip area and simple mechanism activation relieving the user's joints of any stress. This makes them particularly effective as industrial cabinet handles.

Another good example is industrial door pull handles with rounded shoulders. These don't have any sharp edges that would cause mechanical irritations and don't snag on skin or clothing.

Handle Material and Surface

The handle's material and surface should be considered as the final factors. Generally speaking, you want to avoid any smooth, hard surfaces with edges, grooves, and various recesses as much as possible.

The handle's surface texture should have a high-friction surface with rubber or a slightly soft composite in order to best suit all users, enable a firm grip, and reduce soft tissue compression.

Although we noted that conventional doorknobs are not ergonomic, this does not imply that all spherical doorknobs are deficient in ergonomic features. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a good choice for ball knobs, and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is great for tool grips.

In fact, TPE is becoming the preferred material for creating ergonomic hand and power instruments. It has a tactile sensation and offers a soft-touch grip, much like rubber. Some industrial ergonomic handles are actually made entirely of TPE.

The last thing you want to consider is an ergonomic design with a non-slip grip that has small patterns on the side or knurling that would prevent the user's hand from slipping.

Summary

Source: Reid Supply

In conclusion, an industrial ergonomic handle can accommodate all human hand sizes from female 5th percentile to male 95th percentile and offer a secure grip and comfortable operation while minimizing the effects of repetitive stress.

If you want to learn more about industrial ergonomic handles, or handles in general, visit Reid Supply, a prominent North American parts and components supplier with a massive library of downloadable professional literature.