Asian Journal of Home Science

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Design Compatibility of Hand Tools


Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, School for Home Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow, U.P., India
     

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Hand tools are ubiquitous and they are integral to our daily routine. Workers in agricultural work, industrial occupation and home makers in kitchens make intensive use of hand tools, and poor tool design can adversely affect user's performance and lead to increased accidents and injuries. Kitchen tools aid to perform the job safely, efficiently and comfortably even in adverse working conditions, reinforcing strength and effectiveness of hands. The problem arises with the selection of right tool with the availability of variety of tools in the market ensuring comfort and safety. The present study is an attempt to know user's opinion about the design and comfort features of the kitchen tools used by them. Twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad were selected for the study. A total of 120 employed home makers were identified as the sample and a self-structured interview schedule pertaining to tool possession, frequency of tool use, user identity, years and duration of use of tool, and feeling of convenience while using the tool were studied. The results of the survey revealed that peelers, kitchen tongs and graters are the tools, which are very useful but are felt stressful and comfortable to use. Results of the study confirmed that the existing kitchen tools have certain design flaws in user's point of view and require modifications to improve user's comfort and efficiency.

Keywords

Kitchen Tool, Hand Tool, Comfort, Efficiency
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  • Design Compatibility of Hand Tools

Abstract Views: 200  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

U. V. Kiran
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, School for Home Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow, U.P., India

Abstract


Hand tools are ubiquitous and they are integral to our daily routine. Workers in agricultural work, industrial occupation and home makers in kitchens make intensive use of hand tools, and poor tool design can adversely affect user's performance and lead to increased accidents and injuries. Kitchen tools aid to perform the job safely, efficiently and comfortably even in adverse working conditions, reinforcing strength and effectiveness of hands. The problem arises with the selection of right tool with the availability of variety of tools in the market ensuring comfort and safety. The present study is an attempt to know user's opinion about the design and comfort features of the kitchen tools used by them. Twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad were selected for the study. A total of 120 employed home makers were identified as the sample and a self-structured interview schedule pertaining to tool possession, frequency of tool use, user identity, years and duration of use of tool, and feeling of convenience while using the tool were studied. The results of the survey revealed that peelers, kitchen tongs and graters are the tools, which are very useful but are felt stressful and comfortable to use. Results of the study confirmed that the existing kitchen tools have certain design flaws in user's point of view and require modifications to improve user's comfort and efficiency.

Keywords


Kitchen Tool, Hand Tool, Comfort, Efficiency

References