Evaluation of impact loading in overhead work using a bolt pistol support

This paper evaluates the effects of a bolt gun support stand on impact loading of the hand-arm system while firing spiked bolts into a steel beam. Ten healthy male subjects fired two bolts into the centre of the beam, one with and one without the aid of the support stand. During firing of a bolt gun, the shock sequences were recorded by two accelerometers. The analysis showed that peak values of acceleration decreased more than eightfold during firing with the bolt pistol support. The shock damping effect due to the bolt support was noted at the thumb (metacarpal level) and elbow bones.