They go through numerous cycles of designing and building prototypes, disguising them and pitting them on jobsites against equally disguised tools from competitors. Metabo Corp., Westchester, Penn., took this path when it developed a new hand-held grinder introduced earlier this year. Focus groups were held with a variety of potential users. Md.-based DeWalt Industrial Tool Co. DeWalt may start off with up to 15 different models of a tool, narrow it to about 10, then take the designs out to job sites. Ergonomic features don't always sell, despite the interest in the issue by construction unions, workers and some employers.
Some manufacturers claim that price is a more important selling point than features.
Others claim that ergonomically designed tools aren't as popular in commercial construction as they are in manufacturing, government agencies and utilities because of the duration of employment. Workers employed steadily by a single employer are more likely to file a worker's compensation claim against that employer for a cumulative injury from tool use than one who has changed contractors with every project or season. Ergonomically designed tools are more popular in Europe because of the widespread use of socialized medicine. The government ultimately picks up the tab for injuries caused by tools and many countries have laws to discourage biomechancially deficient tool and equipment. Ind. The U.K is particularly strict on noise.