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Ergonomics and Safety

Nupla is committed to making the strongest, safest and most ergonomic tools in the industry.

Ergonomics is another word for Human Engineering, i.e., the study of the relationship between humans and machines in terms of physiological and technological requirements.  This description is synonymous with Nupla Corporation’s approach to developing its Ergo Power® digging and striking tool lines as well as its soft face lines of striking tools.  In designing these tools, Nupla adopted the theory of “Commercial Ergonomics” which emphasizes greater comfort and reduced user fatigue.

Over the centuries, wood handled tools did not address the issue of ergonomics as wood handle manufacturers maximized available wood.  Since they were unable to cut wood into ergonomic shapes, manufacturers combined wood handles with grips of various materials, such as foam, in their efforts to make an ergonomic tool. 

Nupla’s Ergo Power digging tools, designed to fit the user’s hands, feature the combination of an injection molded outer polymer sleeve over a super strong pultruded fiberglass core.  The comfortable handle shape increases tool efficiency by eliminating unnecessary movement, such as the twisting motion required by an unbalanced shovel load.  With improved hand control, this unique handle design also reduces forearm fatigue and blistering of the hands. 

Nupla’s Ergo Power striking tools, which feature the same manufacturing technology, reduce arm vibration and thus user fatigue. The harmonics or “shock load” while striking is absorbed by the molded polypropylene outer shell which acts as a natural shock absorber. 

Nupla designed and patented its Smart Hammer Technology® to make the most ergonomic dead blow, non-marring striking tools in the industry.  The Power Drive® tool line, which features Smart Hammer Technology, offers 69 tools including non sparking, and is based on the OSHA concept of reducing musculoskeletal injuries involving repetitive striking motions.  The dead blow feature of Power Drive hammers, which is achieved by means of free-flowing shot contained in the molded tool head cavities, not only reduces vibration and sting but also increases driving force by 40% requiring less striking effort.  Non marring and non sparking features further enhance this tool line.

Nupla Classic® fiberglass handled digging and striking tools feature many styles of soft, comfortable, and ergonomic grips suitable for most applications.  The variety of grip styles designed for a better fit, alleviate the gripping effort and “squeeze” even in moist or humid conditions. 

Safety, a key factor in the design of all Nupla products, can also be described as “freedom from danger, risk or injury”.

Nupla products use the finest raw materials and combine pultruded fiberglass, engineered polymers, adhesives and epoxy bonding methods developed over decades to produce tools that far exceed all ANSI and Federal test specifications.  These features help to prevent catastrophic tool failures, even under extreme conditions, thus minimizing the possibility of injury.  For example, tests of Nupla’s Ergo Power digging tools have proven that the external engineered polymer sleeve will contain any fracture of the internal fiberglass core and prevent user injury.  This same feature enhances the safety of Nupla’s Ergo Power striking tools.  The polymer sleeves around the fiberglass handles of these tools will contain any fracture of the fiberglass and prevent separation of the handle from the striking head.  The Ergo Power feature is also available in Nupla’s Power Pylon shovel line.

ERGONOMIC FACT SHEET

1-27-1999
 
Sources / References:

OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration)
National Safety Council
International Ergonomics Association
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)

  • OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) is developing a national ergonomic protection standard that will promote technological improvements to control exposure to workplace ergonomic risk factors.
  • Currently, OSHA can consider ergonomic hazards (under Section 5 of the OSHA Act) when making normal workplace inspections.
  • OSHA Inspectors may issue a citation to an employer for ergonomic disorders if:
       - The “hazard is (or should have been) recognized” by the employer.
       - There is a “feasible and useful method” to correct the hazard.
  • CTD - Cumulative Trauma Disorders are now the leading type of industrial injury.
  • RMI - Repetitive Motion Injuries.
  • Shock, vibration, and stress are major contributors to fatigue and CTD’s.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - one of the most common CTD’s is caused primarily by poor work positioning or awkward wrist postures.  One case can cost an employer around $30,000 in compensation claims and lost productivity, and an average of $50,000 in legal costs or damages.
  • Tendonitis (“Tennis elbow”) can be caused when bones and joints are routinely subjected to heavy shocks and stresses.
  • Injuries related to poor ergonomics cost about $25 billion per year.
  • A quality ergonomic tool is designed to deliver the greatest power with the least effort while exposing the worker to a minimum of shock, vibration, stress, and poor posture.