Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
4-23-2012
Abstract
Injuries due to manual valve handwheel operations are a major concern in the chemical process industry. Manual valves are used to start, stop, and control flow in process lines. The torque required to operate handwheels after the initial "breaking" can vary due to the size, design, and condition of the valve. This study tested four methods of turning the handwheel on a medium-sized gate valve at two different torque requirements (25 Nm and 50 Nm). The methods were compared to each other, in terms of efficiency, subjective ratings of perceived exertion, and electromyography activity of the upper extremity and trunk muscles. The results indicate that different methods and torque requirements are compensated for by the use of different muscles. Also, this use of different muscles, along with the increased mechanical advantage of the wrench, can affect the operator's actual and perceived comfort and efficiency while operating a valve handwheel. © 2012 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Work
First Page
2334
Last Page
2340
Recommended Citation
Aghazadeh, F., Qaisi, S., Hutchinson, F., & Ikuma, L. (2012). Handwheel valve operation: Assessment of four opening methods in terms of muscle loading, perceived comfort, and efficiency. Work, 41 (SUPPL.1), 2334-2340. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2012-0461-2334
