Anthropometry and Work: An Overview

Definitions

Anthropometry - the science that defines physical measures of a person's size, form, and functional capacities

Functional capacity - the ability to complete certain work tasks based on human size or form

How it works

Anthropometric measurements are used to study the interaction of workers with tasks, tools, machines, vehicles, and personal protective equipment (PPE). These measurements are often used to determine the degree of protection against dangerous exposures, long term or short term.

Many workers experience the benefit of applying anthropometric measurements. For example:

• Construction workers benefit from more than one size of fall harness.
• Truck drivers have a more ergonomic design of truck cabs.
• Firefighters have improved PPE for best fit.
• Police officers have improved uniform fit for more body types.

Impacts

Technological development in recent years has advanced the basic science of human size and shape studies in 3-dimensional (3D) forms. Computer-generated human models are now available for anthropometric analysis. These advances have made it possible to improve workplace and protective equipment design, and anthropometric fit within complex systems.

Safety risks

Designs that are incompatible with normal anthropometric measurements of a workforce may result in unwanted incidents. For example:

• The misfit of a heavy equipment cabin to a worker may create operator blind spots that expose workers on foot to struck-by injuries.
• Inadequate length or configuration of seatbelts may lead to non-use of seat belts, which affect post-crash survivability.
• When PPE does not fit correctly it cannot sufficiently protect workers from health and safety exposures or hazards.

What the data shows

Existing data on the size and shape of industrial workers is limited. There is a lack of anthropometric data for the general worker population. Safety researchers have generally relied on data drawn from studies of military personnel. Most of these studies took place during the 1950s to 1970s.

However, substantial anthropometric variability exists among the general worker population. They are quite different from the average military population. Industrial workers like agricultural, truck driver, and firefighter workforces, are also anthropometrically different from the average civilian population.1

Resources

Datasets

Firefighter Anthropometry Datasets

U.S. firefighter anthropometric information can be used to update specifications for fire apparatus and firefighter protective equipment.

EMT Anthropometry Datasets

U.S. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) anthropometric information can be used to improve the workspace design of ambulance patient compartments for safe and effective performance.

Anthropometric Study of U.S. Truck Drivers

NIOSH launched the first-ever federal anthropometric study of U.S. truck drivers.

Articles

• Anthropometric Study of U.S. Truck Drivers: Methods, Summary Statistics, and Multivariate Accommodation Models NIOSH Publication No. 2015-116
• Needs and procedures for a national anthropometry study of law enforcement officers Human Factors: May 2023
• Body models of law enforcement officers for cruiser cab accommodation simulation Human Factors: Nov 2022 / [Epub ahead of print]
• Anthropometric study of emergency medical services providers (EMSP) in the United States (2020)

Other

• Encumbered and traditional anthropometry of law enforcement officers for vehicle workspace and protective equipment design Human Factors: December 2021 / [Epub ahead of print]
• Needs and procedures for a national anthropometry study of law enforcement officers Human Factors: June 2021 / [Epub ahead of print]