1. Anthropometrics

2. Standing Working Heights Sitting Working Heights Reaches Gender Strength Differences Postural Strength Differences

3. Design so the large can fit, the small can reach and the weak can lift, lower, push, pull and carry. Anthropometrics

4. Anthropometric Measurements Anthropometrics looks at the variability between people and utilizes principles of statistics to do this.

5. Percentiles Body dimensions can be plotted on a graph with the measurements on the horizontal x axis increasing toward the right from the zero point. The frequency of occurrences is plotted on the vertical y axis, increasing toward the top from the zero point.

6. Anthropometrics and Design It is not customary to design for everyone. The military has chosen to exclude 5% at the small end of the curve and 5% at the large end of the curve, thereby accommodating 90 of the measured population in the Military Standards

7. Anthropometric Measurements

8. Dimension5 th 50 th 95 th MaleFemaleMaleFemaleMaleFemale Standing Vertical Grip Reach76.871.181.975.887.080.5 Standing Forward Grip Reach28.525.830.928.033.330.1 Height64.659.869.164.073.668.1 Eye Height62.855.967.360.071.964.2 Shoulder Height52.448.256.752.261.056.1 Elbow Height40.237.243.540.246.943.1 Sitting Vertical Grip Reach45.542.149.445.753.449.2 Sitting Height33.731.536.033.938.436.2 Sitting Eye Height29.127.231.529.533.931.9 Sitting Elbow Height7.77.39.79.311.611.2 Adapted from: Pheasant, Stephen, (1996). “Bodyspace: Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work”, Bristol, PA: Taylor & Francis.

9. Anthropometrics 50th Percentile Male Reach = 30.9” 50th Percentile Female Reach = 28.0” 95 th Percentile Male Reach = 33.3” 5 th Percentile Female Reach = 25.8”

10. Things To Consider Determine what body dimensions are relevant. Determine what population group is relevant. Use the anthropometric data as a guide and a place to start. It does not replace employee input. Just because something does not fall within anthropometric guidelines does not mean it is necessarily a significant ergonomic risk. When designing workstations or equipment, you will never be able to accommodate everyone. Try to accommodate as much of the population as you can, given the space and cost parameters you have to work within.

11. Standing Workstation Height NIOSH 1997 Publication, Elements of Ergonomics Programs

12. Horizontal Reach Envelopes NIOSH 1997 Publication, Elements of Ergonomics Programs

13. Choosing Working Postures Standing – For heavy, bulky loads – When frequent movement is required –When there is no knee room under the equipment –Where there is limited front-rear space

14. Choosing Working Postures Sitting –For accurate control, fine manipulation. –For continuous light manipulation work. –For close visual work with prolonged attention. –For limited headroom, low work heights.

15. Sagittal Reach Envelopes As the arm moves though its normal range of motion it creates an arc and creates the primary reach arc and the secondary reach arc. The primary reach arc places minimal stress on the shoulder and low back. The secondary reach envelope can place stress on the shoulder and increases stress on the low back. Reaching beyond the secondary reach arc will require forward bending and significantly increases stress on the low back.

16. Strength Variability: Females vs. Males Body PartPercent Strength of Females vs. Males Arms60 % Trunk64% Legs72%

17. Male Grip Strength & Age Male (lbs) Percentiles18 - 2930 - 3940 - 4950 - 5960 - 6970 - 79 575.288.084.478.370.5- 2593.7101.297.793.782.570.1 50110.9112.0108.0102.590.480.5 75123.5124.6121.3112.4100.388.4 95144.0144.6134.5132.1113.5100.5 Mean110.2113.8109.0102.190.676.9 Adapted from: Australian Fitness Norms, 1992, The Health Development Foundation, Adelaide, p.32.

18. Female Grip Strength & Age Female (lbs) Percentiles18 - 2930 - 3940 - 4950 - 5960 - 6970 - 79 552.049.6 40.838.6- 2562.861.759.554.050.347.6 5066.868.366.163.955.1 7575.076.172.870.561.759.5 9585.588.283.878.374.767.2 Mean68.069.066.461.355.651.4 Adapted from: Australian Fitness Norms, 1992, The Health Development Foundation, Adelaide, p.32.

19. Posture Dependent Strength Variability

20. Ear-Eye-Line The EE line is determined by using the ear-hole and the junction of the eyelids. The EE line describes the posture of the head and serves as reference for the angle of the line of sight.

21. Line of Sight The line of sight connects the pupil with the visual target. Eye movement within about 15 degrees above and below the average line-of-sight angle is still comfortable.

22. Practical Application of Anthropometrics This video clip from NASA shows how Anthropometri c data was applied to the design of equipment.