Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Applied Anthropometry
and the Workplace
Anthropometry

A. Description of the physical

variation in humans by
measurement; a basic technique
of physical anthropology.

B. The measurement of the

dimensions and certain other
physical characteristics of the
body.
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Measuring Types
A. Static (structural) - taken while the
body is in a static position

1. Skeletal dimensions - joint-to-joint

measurement

2. Maximum body width

3. Data available on most

characteristics of the body

NASA Anthropometric Source

Book. (vol 2, 1978)
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Measuring Types

B. Dynamic (functional)

1. Measurements taken while the

body is engaged in some kind of
activity

a. Driving a car

b. Working at a desk /
VDT
terminal
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Applications
Principles

1. Design for extremes of

individuals (or the population)

a. Maximum:
automobile interiors,
escape hatches,
doorway

b. Minimum: applied
force, reach distances
c. Most designs cover 5th
through 95th percentile
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Principles
2. Design with an adjustable range

a. Design should "fit" 5th through 95th

percentile of relevant population

b. Involves a trade-off with

cost/complexity

3. Design for the average

- vs. design for the extreme
(seat height, counter tops,
letter height)
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Principles
4. Variability of population -

Anthropomorphic measurements
are a functionof age, gender,
nationality, user type and several
other factors
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Applications of Design
Principles
A. Bittner

Taking 13 dimensions between 5th

and 95th percentile excluded 52%
of the population

B. Body dimensions are not

perfectly correlated

Short legs with a long torso

in automobile design
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Applications of Design
Principles
C. Physical modeling

1. Computer programs to model

human movement

2. Dummies are used to represent

specific percentiles
- crash tests for autos
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

General Approach for

Design Evaluation
A. Determine the body
dimensions which will be
important in the use of the
system

B. Define the relevant (user)

population

C. Which design principle

will be used
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

General Approach for

Design Evaluation
D. What percentage of the
population it is to be designed
for

E. Determine the relevant value

from the anthropomorphic
tables

F. Add appropriate allowances

for special situations

1. Bulky clothing worn in

cold weather
2. Protective clothing worn by
hazardous duty personnel
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Work Spaces
(Envelopes)
A. Work Space Envelope
Defined as the 3-dimensional space
around an individual in which it is
reasonably optimal for persons to
perform some type of manual activity

B. Seated personnel
1. Most important factor in this
position is arm reach
a. direction ofreach
b. task to be performed (grasp,
fingertip operation)
c. type of reaching motion
(restricted/unrestricted)
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Work Spaces
(Envelopes)
2. Design for the minimum (5th
percentile) - Makes it useful for
95% of the population

3. Consider apparel worn

C. Standing Personnel
1. vs. seated

a. Larger workspace is defined

(due to ability to bend/reach)

b. Workspace is dynamic
(moves as the person moves)
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Work Spaces
(Envelopes)
D. Clearance Requirements
workers need to fit into awkward or
restrictive spaces sometimes.
i.e. maintenance or emergency
hatches.
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Work Surfaces
A. Horizontal Surfaces (tables,
desks, counters)

1. Normal area - area covered by

sweep of the forearm while the
upper arm remains in a natural
position

2. Maximum area - area which

can be reached by extending
the arm from the shoulder
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Work Surfaces
B. Slanted Surfaces

vs. horizontal

a. Eastman and Kodat (use of

slanted surfaces, 12-24 degrees,
gives better posture, less
fatigue/discomfort

b. Drafting tables, computer

keyboards

C. Height of Work Surfaces

 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Work Surfaces

Guidelines

a. Make it adjustable where

possible (legs/feet, slant)

b. Forearm should be level of

slightly down with shoulders
relaxed (not hunched)

c. Allow for a "straight" spine

(posture) to reduce strain and
fatigue in the back muscles/spine

d. Adjustable for type of activity

to be performed
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Work Surfaces
2. For Standing Personnel

a. Precision work (work level even

with or slightly above elbow
height)

b. Light / Heavy work (work level

should be below elbow height)
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Seating
Principles of Seat Design

1. Back support should be used

a. Lower support most

critical to reduce
fatigue and eliminate
back pain

b. Lordotic (concave)
preferred over
Kyphotic (convex)
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Seating
2. Seat height and slope

a. Generally, seat height should

be low enough so as to reduce
pressure on the underside of
the thigh (reduces blood flow
to the legs)

b. Common to design seats for

minimum (5th percent)
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Seating
3. Seat depth and width

a. For public seating,

depth should be
designed for a
minimum while the
width should be
designed for the
maximum
b. Spacing between seats
should be at least 20 inches
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Guidelines for Seat

Design
A. Seat back should provide
support for lumbar (lower) area

B. Seat back should have

moderate inclination (10-30
degrees)

C. Seat pan should slope back

slightly

D. Angle between seat pan

and back is 95-120 degrees
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Guidelines for Seat

Design
E. Seat height and backrest
should be adjustable

F. Seat height designed for

small people, width for large
people

G. Use moderately contoured

seat pan for weight distribution
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Guidelines for Seat Design:

ANSI Standard
Seat Height and Slope:
- fixed height: 18 - 19”
- adjustable height: 16 - 20.5”
- slope: 0 - 10o backward tilt

Seat Depth and Width:

- depth: 15 - 17”
- width: 18.2”
 Applied Anthropometric and Workplace

Guidelines for Seat Design:

ANSI Standard
Contour and Cushioning:
- contour: tradeoffs between even
weight distribution vs. restricting
movement and postural fixity.
- cushion: 1.5 - 2” thick.

Seat Back:
- angle: minimum 90 - 105o with respect
to the seat pan. Up to 120o prefered.
- width: minimum 12” in the lumbar
region.
- height: minimum 19.5”.
- lumbar support: 6 - 9” high, 12” wide,
positioned 6 - 10” above seat
reference point, and protrude ~ 2”
from back rest.