A tool handle wrap is an engineering control that can help reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) from hand-arm vibration.  They are made from viscoelastic materials that are designed to dampen vibration from power tools.  They can be available in long narrow strips, heat shrink tubing, or larger rectangular sheets. An adhesive is used to keep the wrap on the tool. Typically, a 44 inch strip is long enough to wrap an average-sized handle.

Tool handle wraps are viscoelastic materials that are designed to dampen vibration from power tools. They are available in long narrow strips, heat shrink tubing, or larger rectangular sheets. An adhesive is used to keep the wrap on the tool. Typically, a 44 inch strip is long enough to wrap an average-sized handle. Materials vary in thickness from 1/8 to 1/4 inch.

Figure 1. Tool handle wraps used on small hand tools. (Photo courtesy of FastCap, LLC)

Figure 2. Tool handle wraps on a large mechanical tool. (Photo courtesy of FastCap, LLC)

It is recommended to purchase bulk quantities of tool handle wrap because the wrap becomes ineffective at dampening vibration after use, and therefore must be replaced frequently to remain effective. There is a lack of data available that details which vibration frequencies are dampened when using tool handle wraps. For these reasons, tool handle wraps should be used as a last resort or temporary solution until reduced vibration tools can be purchased.

Tool handle wraps may increase or decrease productivity, but protecting the hands from injury while handling/operating tools.

Some safety and health experts do not recommend tool handle wraps because they increase tool handle diameter and may not dampen the impact of harmful hand-arm vibration frequencies. When tool handle diameters are too thick, more forceful exertions are required to operate the tool. Handle diameter for single-handed tools, such as a screwdriver should be between 1.25 and 2 inches for power tasks (high force), and between 0.25 and 0.5 inches for precision tasks (low force). See the Ergonomic Hand Tools solution page for more detailed hand tool guidelines. Instead of using tool handle wraps, health and safety experts recommend that workers use reduced vibration tools or anti-vibration gloves. 

Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC – Eastern Washington University, and Alysha Meyers, PhD – University of Iowa

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