Greenlee has launched an industry-first ergonomics laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment to identify a tool's ergonomic value through scientific testing, measurement and analysis. This analysis will help electrical tools users, along with purchasing officers and decision-makers, determine the best tools to use on the job.

"This new ErgoLab will give Greenlee the ability to analyze and deliver objective data and offer all our business units the ability to quantify a "tool's worth," says Raffi Elchemmas, Tool Ergonomist at Greenlee. "By having the ability to compare muscle efforts against ergonomic qualities, it allows tool users and decision-makers to see and understand the short- and long-term health and safety benefits. This insight makes the purchasing decision process that much easier."

Using electromyography analysis equipment and ergonomic evaluation software, Greenlee researchers are able to measure and record the amount of electrical activity produced by the skeletal muscles. In addition to this, they will also be able to collect grip strength and biofeedback information such as heart rate, ECG Waveform, and skin temperature.

The lab is located at company headquarters in Rockford, IL. A mobile version of the ErgoLab has also been developed to offer jobsite analysis, allowing ergonomists to bring the testing equipment to customers' jobsite, whether in their building, leaning out of a bucket or climbing up a pole for onsite analysis.

"The idea came about when our ergonomics analysts saw the need to improve the quality of life for the next generation of utility and electrical workers. Our team began to identify the initial point of injuries and trace many repetitive and long-term injuries back to ergonomic issues that can be fixed through redesigning, reengineering and improving work practices", says Jeff Smith, Greenlee’s Director of Engineering.

Greenlee ErgoLab will be sharing testing results through ergo data sheets on specific tools and published white papers.