For the development of ergonomically optimized types of diagonal cutter handles, 8 typical diagonal cutters were compared and evaluated with respect to the handle design. Eleven male, right-handed test subjects (Ss) between the age of 19 and 35 years repetitively had to cut medium-hard and soft wires according to the test methods of the German Institute for Standardization (published in DIN ISO 5744) at a special device and in a standardized execution. By means of surface electromyography the muscle strain (mean values from 20 cuts) of the m. flexor digitorum, m. extensor digitorum, m. flexor carpi ulnaris and m. biceps in the right hand-arm system were continuously registered. Following these tests, the data were standardized, analyzed and assessed in percentage of the electromyographic activity (EA) associated with maximum voluntary contractions. A complete mobile system for the recording of peripheral-physiological data was used.

Furthermore, specific questionnaires with 35 items were developed with which the Ss subjectively evaluated cutting pliers and handles criteria such as design, material, dimensions, weight, and handling as well as work effects on the human body. The determined objective measured data in combination with the obtained subjective assessments allowed conclusions about design criteria and design approaches for the optimization of the diagonal cutter handles.