Measurement of forces exerted in the manual handling of small cylindrical objects

The handling of small cylinders has been investigated in relation to the ac cidental ignition of explosive initiating devices. The results obtained may also be applicable to situations in which small items of various shapes ar e manually handled. A simple force sensor was developed in order to measure the magnitude and rate of application of forces exerted by the digits of t he human hand on cylinders of different sizes. The results obtained from te sts with twenty adult volunteers indicate that, within certain limits, the magnitude and rate of application of these forces are dependent on the leng th and diameter of the cylinders being handled. Relevance to industry The paper reports the relationship between handling forces and the size of cylinders being held, together with the development of a simple test method . It is directly relevant to industry in terms of the safe handling of expl osive initiating devices. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.