ASTM_D_6804_-_19.pdf

Designation:D680419Standard Guide forHand Hole Design in Corrugated Boxes1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6804;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This standard provides guidelines for designing pre-cutapertures intended for use as hand holes in corrugated boxesduring manual handling of boxed cargo.1.2 LimitationsThis standard offers guidance for packagedevelopment and for subsequent testing of boxes to measureperformance.It is not intended to provide specific informationon the design of hand holes.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas the standard.The SI units are for information only.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD1974 Practice for Methods of Closing,Sealing,and Rein-forcing Fiberboard BoxesD4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers,Packages,orPackaging Components for TestingD5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers byFree FallD5445 Practice for Pictorial Markings for Handling ofGoodsE4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing MachinesE122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,WithSpecified Precision,the Average for a Characteristic of aLot or Process2.2 TAPPI Standards:3T400 Sampling and Accepting a Single lot of Paper,Paperboard,Containerboard,or Related Product3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsGeneral definitions for packaging and dis-tribution environments are found in Terminology D996.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 hand holesapertures,pre-cut in corrugated boxes bybox manufacturers,as requested by box purchasers.Theseapertures facilitate manual handling during distribution andimprove grip during handling.4.Significance and Use4.1 It may be desirable at times to provide hand holes incorrugated boxes.Package designers use hand holes to solveergonomic and handling problems associated with large orawkward containers.This guide provides an aid for properhand hole design and use.4.1.1 Boxes for handling by a single person.4.1.2 Boxes that are too large or awkward to be handledwell by a single person(4.4.1).4.2 Ergonomics:4.2.1 In studying and applying ergonomic principles,ofprimary concern is the need to provide a safe work environ-ment for material handlers who may be required to lift ortransport packages.A safe work environment is difficult todefine and varies with the package in question.Severalergonomic safety issues involve repetitive motions and spineloading in the lifting process.Other issues involve finger andfoot protection.4.2.2 In distribution centers or warehouses,low back disor-ders have been identified as areas of elevated risk.Low back1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D10 on Packaging andis the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.27 on Fiberboard ShippingContainers,Containerboard and Related Structures and Materials.Current edition approved Oct.1,2019.Published November 2019.Originallyapproved in 2002.Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D6804 02(2015).DOI:10.1520/D6804-19.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from Technological Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry(TAPPI),15 Technology Parkway South,Suite 115,Peachtree Corners,GA 30092,http:/www.tappi.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1 problems continue to represent the most common and costlymusculoskeletal disorders in the work place.44.2.3 One method used to reduce the concern of distance oflift(spinal loading)is to bring the reach of the materialhandlers hands closer to the body.With la