Anthropometrics/Work Design Principles:

As a therapist performing treatments to injured workers or if you are out in the workplace evaluating the ergonomic risk factors in order for an injured patient to safely return to work, understanding anthropometrics can ensure appropriate work modifications. The two primary objectives of the ergonomics process are to enhance performance and reduce fatigue. The ergonomics process is a multi-step method to evaluate work, study how the body responds to these work demands and then use this information to design or improve work areas to best meet these two objectives. The design of a work area or equipment can have significant effects on worker fatigue, safety and worker performance. In addition, with the expansion of machine technology, new and different equipment is continually introduced to the work place each year. This expansion of technology in the workplace can both ameliorate workspace problems, as well as, create them. For a work area to flow efficiently and productively, both the equipment and the people must be operating smoothly. Any obstacle, difficult reach, congestion or confusion can impair work output and may, at times, compromise worker safety.

In work design or modification, we need to answer the questions-

• Does the person fit (body size) in a work place?”

•“If one worker fits in a workplace, do all workers fit in a workplace.”

•“If all workers fit in a work place, are some individuals more likely to experience fatigue, injury or diminished work performance due to poor fit into a workplace?”

•“ Does the design of the equipment have any adverse effects on the worker’s safety and productivity?”

As a therapist, you may not be directly involved with work area design, but you may be involved in work area modification and risk factor evaluation. It is essential to be aware of the potential effects, both positive and adverse, that work design issues can have on both worker performance and fatigue. When designing or modifying equipment or a work area, the following factors need to be considered:

1. Safe clearances or heights, such as for doorways or walkways.

2. Safe reach distances, such as for safety cords or equipment controls.

3. Code requirements, such as for reaches or work heights.

4. Safety features including machine guards and protective shields.

5. Equipment control configuration or devices.

6. Work station or work flow designs.

7. Handicap access adaptations with compliance with ADA laws.

Work areas and equipment are designed and built based on human capabilities and capacities. Obviously, there are some limitations to work design, as the worker population, most like is quite variable in size, shape and weight. In addition, there is no such thing as the “average “person. That is why the principles of anthropometrics have become so important.

Anthropometrics Defined
Anthropometrics is the science of the physical dimensions, size, shape and weight of the human body. The word anthropometry comes from the Greek words “anthro”, meaning “man” and “metrein” meaning “to measure”. The study of anthropmetrics is based on the concept that the population morphology is variable and that there are individual size and strength capabilities and differences. By measuring human body dimensions, one can establish normative data, which describes the frequency distribution of the population’s size. Anthropometric principles can then be applied to work place design and modification to enhance worker performance, reduce fatigue, and determine safe working conditions.

The basis for anthropometry is the careful measurement of human body dimensions of a set population. The dimensions that are measured include:

1. Height
2. Weight
3. Reach, both horizontal and overhead
4. Stoop
5. Grip strength
6. Circumferential measurements
7. Limb length

In addition, gender, age, race and nationality are variables that should be considered when evaluating standard anthropometric tables or creating specific population tables. Anthropometric data is compiled to make guidelines to make the work areas, equipment, tools and product fit the size, reach, grip, clearance and capacity of the working population. Worker populations contain individuals who are male and female, large and small, short and tall, young and old, and strong and weak. The goal of applying the principles of anthropometrics to the workplace, as part of work area and system design is to enhance human performance, control fatigue and prevent accidents.

Anthropometric Tables
In the science of anthropometrics, measurements of the population’s dimensions are obtained based on the population’s size and strength capabilities and differences. From these measurements, a set of data is collected that reflects the studied population in terms of size and form. This population can then be described in terms of a frequency distribution including terms of the mean, the median, standard deviation and percentiles. The frequency distribution for each measurement of the population dimension is expressed in percentiles. The xth percentile indicates that x percent of the population has the same value or less than that value for a given measurement. The median or average value for a particular dimension is the 50th percentile. In addition, 100-x of the population has a value higher than x.

Summary
Standard Anthropometric tables can be used, or an Anthropometric table can be created of a specific worker population. These data tables can be used to help determine safe and efficient work area and workflow designs. Anthropometric tables provide useful information on population size, shape and strength capabilities and differences so that work areas can be built or modified to improve work design and increase efficiency. As a therapist, you may not be required to actually design these work stations, however, the knowledge of how these data tables are used in design and possibly with the modification of certain work areas this understanding will prove to be useful to both enhancing performance and reducing worker fatigue.

REF:
ErgoRehabm Inc continuning education program in Health Ergonomics: www.ergorehabinc.com

Nicole Matoushek MPH, PT, CEES, CSHE
www.ergorehabinc.com


ErgoRehab, Inc.

More information about ErgoRehab, Inc. courses

Other articles by Nichole:

Prompt Return to Work

Injury Prevention: The Shoulder Joint

Anthropometrics and Ergonomics

The History of Ergonomics

Why Offer Return-to-Work Programs?

What is Ergonomics?

Work Injury Prevention and Management

The Cost of Work Related Injuries

Ergonomics and Work Efficiency

Functional Outcomes in Worker Rehab

Conquering Barriers in Worker Rehab

Maximizing Reimbursement in Worker Rehab

Clinical Management in Worker Rehab

Work Injury Consultants

Marketing and Selling Ergonomics and Worker Rehab Services

The Economic Burden of Workplace Injuries

Keyboard Design

Health Ergonomic Objectives

Ergonomics: Work Design Principles

Ergonomics and Muscle Fatigue

Work Modifications using Administrative Controls

Ergo Guidelines for Seating Equipment

Office Setting Ergonomics

Ergonomics: Evaluating Mouse Features

Ergonomics: Evaluating Keyboard Features

Ergo Guidelines for Input Devices

Ergo Guidelines for Office Accessories

Ergonomics/Posture Tips for Laptop Users

Laptop/ Computer Keyboard Design

Sports Medicine Approach to Industrial Rehab