LECTURE -2 (Anthropometry)
ERGONOMICS & SAFETY
MANAGEMENT
IPE-3107 PRESENTED BY
Md. Sumon Rahman
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Industrial & Production Engineering
Jashore University of Science & Technology.
1
What is Anthropometry?
The word “Anthropometry” is driven from two Greek words, “anthepos”
means man and “metron” means measure.
Anthropometry is one of the basic parts of ergonomics that refers to the
measurement and collection of the physical dimension of the human body.
Purpose:
The basic purpose of anthropometry measure is to design a workstation that is
comfortable convenient and productive to work at ideally and to fit both body
and the mind of the worker.
These data are used in the ergonomics to specify the physical dimension of the
workspaces, equipment, furniture and clothing to “in shape the task to the
human” and to ensure that the physical mistakes between the dimensions of
equipment and products and matching corresponding user dimension are
avoided.
2
Anthropometrics Design Motto
Normally anthropometric measure can be translated into
workstation design measures by using the two
anthropometrics design motto. That’s are:
1. Let the small person reach.
2. Let the large person fit.
These mottos involve that reach distances should be designed for the
small person 5th percentile / individual, whereas clearance dimensions
should be designed for the large 95thpercentile.
3
Principle in the application of anthropometric data:
There are three general principle for applying
anthropometric data to specific design problems;
each apply to a different type of situation.
a) Design for extreme individuals
b)Design for adjustable range.
c)Design for average.(self study in details)
4
Objectives of Anthropometry in workstation design:
To design workstation and work places approximately which are
comfortable convenient and productive to work at
To find physical comfort and mental satisfaction at a workstation
for a variety of people so that the workstation is fitted to both the
body and mind of the workers.
To demonstrate how the adjustability of work surfaces (desk, table
etc.) and work seats to accommodate people at workstation design.
To be sure that, the workers can easily access to controls and input
devices.
To avoid bad work- posture i.e to reduce fatigue and loss of
productivity.
5
Types of body movement:
There are two types of body movement:
a).Static dimensions or structural dimensions.
This dimensions are measurement, that are taken when the human body is in fixed
position which typically involves standing /sitting.
Types of static dimensions:
Static dimensions depend on following situation
Size, length, height, width, thickness.
Weight, volume, density(m/v)
Circumference, centre of gravity
Contour (Radius of curvature).
Standing VS seated dimensions.
Static dimensions vary with other factors such as Age, Gender, occupation etc.
6
b) Dynamic (Functional) dimensions:
It is defined as “The measurement is taken when the human body
is engaged in some physical activity such as car driving,
sewing section, assembly sections etc.
Some static dimensions are:
Standing
1. Tribal height
2. Elbow height
3. Knuckle height
4. Shoulder height
5. Stature
6. Function overhead reach
7
Image of anthropometric
measure(Standing Position)
Functional over head
Functional Fr RC
RC
Stature
Eye height
Shoulder ht
Elbow ht
Knuckle ht
8
Body dimensions (Sitting position)
1. Function forward reach
2. Buttock- knee depth
3. Buttock popliteal Depth
4. Popliteal height
5. Thigh clearance
6. Sitting elbow height
7. Sitting eye height
8. Sitting height
9. Hip breath
10. Elbow -to-elbow breath
9
Image of anthropometric measure(Sitting Position)
Sitting Ht
Eye Ht
Knee Length Shoulder Ht
Thigh Ht Elbow Ht
Knee Ht
Buttock Knee Ht
Functional forward reach
Buttock Popliteal length
10
Image of anthropometric measure(Sitting Position)
Elbow to elbow breath
Hip breath
11
Hand dimensions
12
Structural dimensions of head
13
Generally anthropometric measurements are expressed as
percentiles in design feature
A percentile is defined as a measurement used in statics
indicating the value below which a given percentage of
observations in a group of observations fall.
For example: The 95th percentile is the value below
which 95 percent of the observations may be found.
In general anthropometry data follow a normal
distribution.
We know that, a normal distribution is
characterized by two key parameters, that’s are
the mean and standard deviation (SD).
14
Image of Percentile
15
Normal Distribution Formula
16
Normal distribution curve
17
Other dimensions
Minimum dimensions: A high percentile value
of an appropriate anthropometric dimension is chosen.
Example: sufficient head room for very tall people has to be
provided and (the 95th or 99thpercentile male) structure could
be used to specify a minimum height.
Maximum dimensions: A low percentile is chosen
in determining the maximum height of a door latch so that the
smallest adult in a population will be able to reach it.
Example: A door lock must be no higher than the maximum
vertical reach of a small man.
18
Some anthropometric tools( Conventional)
19
Some anthropometric tools( Digital)
20
Some Practical anthropometric Positions
21
Some Practical anthropometric Positions
22
Current Applications of Anthropometry
Industrial design and architecture (e.g., vehicle seating and cockpits)
Clothing (e.g., military uniforms)
Ergonomics (e.g., Chair, Table)
Medicine (e.g., BMI, aging, obesity, sports science, and diabetes)
In these industries, anthropometric data is invaluable to the
optimization of various products and observing the changes which
occur in response to various lifestyle, genetic, and ethic factor.
23
THANKS
24
