Tool and Task Design Challenges for Left Handers: A Brief Review

Muhammad Syafiq SYED MOHAMED,1, Akmal Hafiz AZANI2, Lokman ABDULLAH1, Ruzaidi ZAMRI1, Mohd Nazmin MASLAN1, Mahasan MAT ALI1, Maslan ZAINON1, Noorazizi MOHD SAMSUDDIN3

1 Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Hang Tuah Jaya, Durian Tunggal, 76100 Melaka, Malaysia

2 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia.

3 Department of Engineering , Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, UTM Kuala Lumpur,Level 6, Razak Tower, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Page 46 – 51   |   Vol. 4, No. 1 (2019)   |    Available online on 1 June 2019

Abstract

Left-handed users are often overlooked by equipment and hand tool designers. Designers may assume that left handers will eventually learn to adapt themselves in a right-handed environment. However in reality left handers face a lot of difficulties when trying to perform tasks meant for right-handed users. Medical personnel are most affected by this issue, followed by workers in non-medical field such as services and manufacturing. This review aims to highlight the issues faced left handers by analysing common household product examples as well as hand tools in occupational settings. Discussions are centred on the differences between the right-handed tools versus left-handed tools, as well as task/procedural challenges faced by left handers. In summary, the notion of designing an ambidextrous tool may not be a realistic recommendation for tool manufacturers and designers.

Keywords

Left hander, handedness, product design, medical

Acknowledgement

© 2022 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFEM). All rights reserved.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics Journal (HFEJ), eISSN: 2590-3705  is the official Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia.  The journal is published on a biannual basis. HFEJ aims to address current research in the field of Ergonomics in addition to the broad coverage of cognitive ergonomics, user experience, physical ergonomics and others such as transportation, industrial design and industrial engineering. HFEJ is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), as such we only accept original work.