1. Safety
When working with garden hand tools, we must always remember that we are working with tools with sharp blades and even sharper points. These tools must be used with care.
Consequently, strength and durability are important. A garden tool that breaks under stress can result in a serious accident.
2. Comfort When Gardening from a Kneeling Position
When working in the kneeling position, the shape of the handle is as important as the gripping surface. The handle must support the gardening tools as well as be "user friendly" to the gardener's hands, wrists, and forearms. There will be times when a two-handed grip is needed, and the handle must be capable of supporting this requirement.
The gripping surface must be soft, but firm and thick enough to be comfortable. The gripping surface must also be non-slip and weatherproof.
3. Comfort When Gardening from a Standing Position
Ergonomic design in a garden tool is most important when working from a standing position, where the gardener needs maximum leverage and weight to complete a task. When using a conventional pole handle construction-grade shovel, it is common for the gardener to struggle and be off balance. It is in this position where slipping, falling, and injury may occur.
The perfect design for a standing work handle is one where the hands, arms, and legs can work in perfect harmony to generate maximum leverage with minimal effort. It must also include a "comfort zone" for foot safety as well as provide an ideal positioning of the foot directly over our work.
The gripping surface must be soft, but firm and thick enough to be comfortable. The gripping surface must also be non-slip and weatherproof.
