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1 Visit our website: Visit our website: Evaluation of the Human Factors of Hand Drills Background A Human Factors Design research team wants to evaluate the design of several new hand drills developed for use by the general population. Previous hand drills were designed primarily for male users but demographic research indicates that an increasing number of women are entering the skilled trades and are also undertaking do-it-yourself projects. This indicates that more human factors research is needed to ensure that new hand drills meet a wider range of human capabilities and address biomechanical factors related to their safe and productive operation. Research Question Is each drill easy to use in terms of the size and operation of the trigger mechanism, grip strength required at onset and at a sustained press, and operational wrist angle?

2 Proposed Method Four user juries of 10 tradesmen each will be invited to come to the Engineering Faculty s Human Factors Design Laboratory on campus. Each user jury will be invited to review four different hand drills according to specific criteria. A jury facilitator will elicit feedback, suggestions and other comments to improve each product. Operation of the drill in various postures will be evaluated by simulating tasks that would be encountered on a daily basis. Drill operating issues will be assessed as they relate to common work place injuries such as repetitive strain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Dynamometers will be used to measure hand grip strength. The drill and trigger will be instrumented to record finger and hand forces, and wrist posture angles measured using a goniometer.

3 Hand measurements will be recorded with a ruler. The data collection will include digital evaluation forms (at onsite computer workstations), verbal feedback, and videos of participants using the tools. Participants (Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria) The desired participant group is tradesmen with a minimum of five years professional experience in a trade that involves frequent use of hand drills. All participants must be at least 18 years of age and capable of operating a standard hand drill. To accommodate the work schedules of the tradesman, the user juries will be convened on weekday evenings or on Saturdays. Risks The prototype of the hand drill has passed basic safety testing and has been cleared for normal use in a testing environment. If improperly used, there are risks of physical injury to participants similar to the risks of improper use of commercially available hand drills.

4 Potential Benefits Participants will be aware that their evaluation of the tool will have an impact on development and design. The use of an expert jury is expected to result in a more effective and safer tool that will be suitable to a more general population. Recruitment Skilled tradesmen, (automotive mechanics, electricians, house framers, plumbers, drywall installers, tile mechanics and finish carpenters) will be recruited through online and print media advertising ( trade magazines, monthly newsletters of local trade unions). Consent Process Interested participants will be sent information about the study and a schedule of available user jury dates and times. Those interested will be asked to complete an online consent process including a demographic questionnaire to help assess their eligibility for the study ( training, certification, years of experience, etc.)

5 After completing the consent process they will be able to indicate their preferred participation dates. Eligible participants will receive a confirmation email of their jury date. Ineligible participants will receive an email thanking them for their interest and explaining that the study is full. Data security Each participant will be assigned a code number that will be added to the data collected. The code, evaluation data and all recordings will be stored in digital form on the shared laboratory computer network. Dissemination A report of the evaluation of each drill will be made available to the designers. A report comparing the evaluations of the four drills and the analyses of the research team will be submitted to a human factors journal for publication.

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