Beneficial
Ergonomic
Tool |
Fact Sheet |
Biomechanical
Advantages |
Ohio State
University
Ergonomics
Study |
The Single Most Beneficial Ergonomic Tool
of Them All
Stout’s BackSaver Grip® is a simple new tool attachment that accomplishes great things. Here’s why we think it ranks at the top in any rating of beneficial ergonomic tools:
Why: It converts every long-handled tool a company or government agency already owns into a more efficient, safer and more ergonomic implement.
How: The BackSaver Grip allows a tool to be gripped higher on the shaft, so the user works standing up straighter, avoiding the awkward bending that is the primary cause of back strain. It allows the legs to take the burden of work activities off the back and also provides a more comfortable working position for the wrist and arm.
What: A detachable grip that fits any shovel, rake, push broom or other long-handled tool. It moves easily from one tool to another, has a lifetime warranty and will never break or wear out.
Who: This product is beneficial for any employee who works with a long-handled tool. It increases productivity and reduces back strain and injury -- which are leading causes of work days lost, medical problems and Workman’s Comp issues.
When: The Grip is beneficial all year-round. Key outdoor tools for particular seasons include leaf rakes for fall, snow shovels for winter and any kind of shovel, rake, hoe, pitch fork or other long-handled tool for spring and summer. Many tools that the BackSaver Grip benefits are used indoors on an every day basis.
Cleaning and Maintenance : Provides the same benefits for push brooms, mops, window squeegees, vacuum cleaner wands, power washers, deck scrubbing brushes, etc.
Extra Benefit : The BackSaver Grip also makes it easier to use overhead tools like tree trimmers, paint extension poles and other extension tools and poles. It provides a more comfortable gripping position and improves stability and control. It eases stress on the forearm, wrist and shoulder.
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Fact Sheet Top
Description: Patented, ergonomic attachment that makes it easier and less stressful to work with all long-handled tools.
How it Works: Allows a tool to be gripped higher on the shaft, eliminating the awkward bending that is the primary cause of back strain. Allows the legs to take the burden off the back. Also, the perpendicular gripping position reduces stress on the wrist, arm and shoulder. Another benefit is the improved comfort, stability and control in working with overhead tools.
Ergonomic Benefits: Reduces back strain and injury, Increases productivity. Reduces days lost to injury and Workman’s Comp claims. Extremely beneficial for anyone with back, shoulder, arm or wrist problems or arthritis and eliminates common blistering between the thumb and forefinger.
Works on: Shovels, snow shovels, rakes, scrub brushes, push brooms, mops, window squeegees, industrial vacuum cleaners, power washers, hoes, pitch forks, lawn edgers, and pool skimmers. Paint extension poles, tree trimmers, pole saws.
Sug. Retail: $11.99
Warranty: Unlimited Lifetime Warranty.
Product Testing: Handyman Club of America; National Home Gardening Club; Safety Magazines and + Health; Orthopedic Products Review; Rehab and Therapy Products
Endorsements: Review; Cleaning and Maintenance; D.C. Products Review. Currently being tested as a worker safety device in 26 state departments of transportation, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, private industry, airports, school districts, parks and recreation and forestry services
A comprehensive ergonomics study by the Engineering Department of Ohio State University in 2006 concluded that the BackSaver Grip “decreases the risk factors associated with raking and shoveling.”
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Biomechanical Advantages Top
There are three main actions that take place when working with long-handled industrial, landscape, garden and maintenance tools: Lifting, Pushing & Pulling, and Twisting.
Lifting: is involved in the use of shovels, industrial scoops, snow shovels, garden spades, pitch forks, etc.
- Adding Stout’s BackSaver Grip® mid-way down the tool handle improves posture by allowing the user to stand taller with less back bend. The bending distance of the repeated up and down body movement that occurs while digging or lifting is minimized.
- By standing straighter, use of an individual’s legs is maximized, taking a significant burden off the back. Use of the legs versus use of the back acheives a significant ergonomic improvement.
- Biomechanically, lifting involves the body as a third class lever. Adding the BackSaver Grip mid-way down the shovel handle moves the fulcrum to the lower hand, transferring the effort to the long end of the shovel, making it a first class lever.
- With increased leverage, the user may now lift a heavier load with greater ease.
Pushing & Pulling: involved in the use of snow pushers, push brooms, rakes, vacuum cleaner wands, mops, etc.
- Adding the BackSaver Grip mid-way down the tool handle improves posture by allowing the user to stand taller with less back bend.
- Limb alignment and hand position with the BackSaver Grip are more neutral, reducing the risk of repetitive stress injury and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Neutral limb alignment and hand position also reduce fatigue and blisters.
Twisting: involved in the use of sweep brooms, garden leaf rakes, mops, scythes, etc.
- Adding Stout’s BackSaver Grip® mid-way down the tool handle allows a greater range of motion.
- A straight line of force from the shoulder to the grip opens the space between the shoulders for good posture and reduced risk of back and muscle strain.
- Neutral limb alignment and hand position help reduce arthritis and back pain.
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2006 Ohio State University Ergonomics Study
Proves Merits of BackSaver Grip Top
A comprehensive ergonomics study for the Engineering Honors Program at Ohio State University concluded in 2006 that Stout’s BackSaver Grip® (retail $11) as well as the Backsaving Handle™ (retail $20) were effective in reducing lower back strain and injury resulting from the use of shovels and rakes.
Following is the (abstract) summary and conclusion:
Two handle attachments that are designed to decrease the bending and twisting encountered while shoveling and raking have become commercially available: Stout’s BackSaver Grip® and the Backsaving Handle™. This study aimed to investigate the effects that the two aids have on the lower back in these activities. Fourteen subjects performed raking and shoveling tasks. MotionMonitor™ (Innovative Sports Training, Inc.) hardware and software, and force-plates were employed to record the continuous motion of subjects performing these tasks. Lateral bending, flexion, and twisting angular displacements and movements were calculated for each subject. The effects of the aids were evaluated using SAS software (SAS Institute, Inc.). The study found that both handles significantly reduce twisting movement, twist angle, and flexion angle during the shoveling task. When using the handles during the raking task, only flexion was significantly reduced. In conclusion, the products present a possible way to decrease the risk factors associated with raking and shoveling.
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