FYI Magazine

Hand injuries are a common side effect of certain occupations and hobbies. Tennis elbow or wrist and even carpal tunnel syndrome are well-recognized injuries. But ergonomic tools can help alleviate injuries due to repetitive motions.

 

The term ergonomics is derived from the Greek words "ergon," which means work, and "nomoi," which means natural laws. In the simplest terms, ergonomics is the study of how work is done and

 how to make work better. It has led to an entire subset of ergonomicsincluding products that can make work better and are safer for the body. This is done by designing items that increase utility of the item, are more comfortable to use, and reduce injury through frequent use.

 

Ergonomic products are most readily associated with items of the workplace, including ergonomic keyboards, computer mice, office chairs, and lighting. But many industries have reevaluated operations to include tools that are ergonomic in design. Gardening is one area where ergonomics has become especially popular.

 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates that the rate of hand injuries in the workplace is 25 hand injuries for every 10,000 full-time employees. However, hand, back and injuries of other areas of the body are also commonplace due to hobbies like gardening. Many people have considered giving up gardening due to the pain that ensues from using the wrong tools. Here are some ergonomic tools to consider for use while gardening.

 

* Extend a Hand Ergonomic Gardening Tool Set: These garden tools help individuals continue gardening tasks with ease and joint protection. The tools attach to the forearm and feature a right-angled grip to promote strength and leverage. Interchangeable heads turn the tool into a hoe, trowel, cultivator, or pruning saw.

 

* Radius Garden 102 Weeder Hand Tool: This device alleviates wrist and hand fatigue from gripping and pulling out weeds the traditional way. The weeder features a patented hand grip that provides more leverage with less wrist stress. The aluminum blade helps to cut through weed roots and lift out weeds with minimal effort.

 

* Garden Works Ergonomic 7 Pattern Sprayer: Instead of squeezing a hand grip to activate the hose nozzle, this sprayer features a sliding thumb valve that controls water flow while reducing hand strain. The seven different water flow patterns allow gardeners to choose from misting to streaming water flows.

 

* Bond LH029 Ergonomic Handle Garden Spade: The handle and length of the tool is designed to create maximum comfort and leverage when digging in soil.

 

* Miracle Gro(R) Ergonomic Garden Feeder: This feeder has an ergonomic handle for an easy, stress-free grip. The trigger lock allows for one-handed control and three spray patterns.

 

Gardening doesn't have to be painful when you use tools that are specially designed to fit the hand. They help alleviate strain to the wrist and elbow while maximizing leverage.