Usability Evaluation of Drywall Sanding Tools

Details

• Personal Author:
  Nussbaum MA ; Winchester WW III ; Young-Corbett DE
• Description:
  A usability evaluation was performed on four drywall sanding tools and redesign specifications were developed for one, to improve the human-tool interface of the sander that provides the greatest control of drywall dust, a known respiratory health hazard. Sixteen novice participants performed simulated drywall-finishing tasks with each of the four tools: block, ventilated, pole, and wet sponge sanders. Outcome measures of interest were four usability metrics: "ease of use", "ease of learning", "perceived productivity", and "comfort". Scaled questionnaire items were analyzed by MANOVA and responses to open-ended questions were analyzed via content analysis procedures. The block sander, the current industry standard tool, performed best in usability evaluations of "ease of learning" and "ease of use". The ventilated sander, found to be most effective in dust control, performed poorly in terms of "ease of use" and "perceived comfort", but well on "perceived productivity". Findings from content analysis were employed in development of redesign recommendations. Redesign recommendations to improve comfort and ease are presented: reduce tool weight, reduce moment-arm, and improve grip design. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Construction Industry Dust Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Usability Construction Equipment Construction Work Drywall Sanding Dust Control Dust Control Equipment Dust Suppression Equipment Design Equipment Testing Hand Tool Respiratory Irritants Tools

  More +
• ISSN:
  0169-8141
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  112-118
• Volume:
  40
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054059
• Citation:
  Int J Ind Ergon 2010 Jan; 40(1):112-118
• Contact Point Address:
  Deborah E. Young-Corbett, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Myers-Lawson School of Construction, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
• Email:
  dyoung@vt.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2010
• Performing Organization:
  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20010701
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:be821a648fadbc794a5a7a0370b3fa96ec23eae1fc6a423818ecf0cd281ffaa6e230095e4fec0d30d752a9554add994d98a1f783d01338387c2b8b411858bbf0
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216701/cdc_216701_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 433.42 KB ]