Tap turners are devices used by people who experience difficulty with grip strength, hand weakness, muscle strength, pain, dexterity limitations, limited use of one or both hands/upper-limbs or arthritic conditions. Additionally they can be used for taps that have been turned off too tightly or are difficult to operate due to the tap design.
Tap turners fit over an existing tap head creating a lever handle. This promotes a push/pull action rather than a twisting movement, making the tap easier to turn on and off.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Tap turners are available in a large variety of types and sizes for variations in use. Designs are available for both indoor and outdoor tap use and suit cross bar or crystal style tap handles. They can be used in all workplaces including office, warehouse and workshop environments. The tap turners can be made permanent or removable allowing an existing tap handle to be replaced without altering the plumbing.
A range of alternative tap styles and designs are also available which can facilitate ease of tap use including:
- quarter turn taps that can be turned on and off within a 90 degree arc limiting the turning required for operation
- extended lever taps which have quarter, half or standard turn operations, and an extension handle which can be operated using the side of the hand or elbow
- foot operated or knee control taps
- infra-red/electronic sensored taps operate by detecting movement
- single lever mixing taps which delivers hot and cold water options from the one lever.
(Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2007; DoAbility 2008)
References:
DoAbility 2008, Tap Turners and Openers, Do Ability, Victoria, viewed 10 January 2008.
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2007, Household Aids: Tap and Handle Turners, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 10 January 2008.