A survey of anthropometry of rural agricultural workers in Enugu State,south-eastern Nigeria

In developed countries, large amount of anthropometric data are available for reference purposes; however, anthropometric data of Nigerian populace are lacking. As a result, most agricultural machines and equipment used are designed using anthropometric data from other populations of the world. A total of 377 rural agricultural workers within the age limit of 18–45 years, who are involved in different agricultural activities, were selected from six rural agriculture-based communities in Enugu state. Thirty-six anthropometric body dimensions were measured including age and body weight. A comparison between the male and female data indicated that data obtained from male agricultural workers were higher than that obtained from their female counterparts in all body dimensions except chest (bust) depth, abdominal breadth and hip breadth (sitting). In terms of design parameters, it was observed that the data from Nigerian agricultural workers were different from that obtained from agricultural workers in north-eastern India.

Practitioner Summary. Anthropometric data of Nigeria populace are lacking. As a result, most agricultural machines and equipment used are designed using anthropometric data from other populations of the world. It was observed that the data from Nigerian agricultural workers were different from that obtained from agricultural workers in north-eastern India.     

Hand anthropometry survey of rural farm workers in south-eastern Nigeria

The importance of hand anthropometry as it relates to design of hand tools particularly for farm workers have been established; however, anthropometric data for this group of agricultural workers have continued to remain scarce. A survey of hand anthropometry relevant in design of agricultural hand tools was carried out on 200 male and 100 female adult farm workers in south-eastern Nigeria. Comparison of the male and female data obtained showed that male dimensions were higher than that recorded for the females. The hand anthropometric data of the male and female farm workers were compared with that of other populations but no clear distinction was observed. It was however clear that the following hand dimensions, 2nd Joint to root digit 3 and width at tip digit 3 recorded for Nigerian farm workers were highest and lowest, respectively, compared to other populations.

Practitioner Summary:

Hand anthropometric data relevant in design of hand tools have continued to remain scarce particularly for farm workers. Hand anthropometry survey of farm workers carried out in south-eastern Nigeria revealed higher dimensions for males than females; however, no clear distinction was observed in comparison with other populations.     

Anthropometric survey for agricultural machinery design: an Indian case study

In Indian agriculture, hand tools, animal-drawn equipment and tractor/power operated machinery are extensively used for various operations. These equipments are either operated or controlled by human workers. Use of anthropometric data can help in the proper design of equipment for better efficiency and more human comfort. Earlier anthropometric surveys carried out in the country were very few and inadequate for use in farm machinery design. Therefore, 52 body dimensions necessary for the design of these equipments were identified and a sample study was conducted on 39 farm workers. The collected anthropometric data were analysed to calculate mean, range, standard deviation and 5th, 50th and 95th percentile values. Through some examples, an effort is made here to illustrate the use of the data in the design of farm equipment. It has now been proposed that extensive surveys should be carried out in different regions of the country to generate the necessary data useful in farm machinery design.     

A survey of hand anthropometry of Bangladeshi agricultural farm workers

The target of this investigation was to represent an anthropometric dataset of hand dimensions from agricultural farm workers in two different areas of Bangladesh. A total of 200 farm workers (110 males and 90 females) age between 15 and 52 years-old were included as voluntary participants from two regions of Bangladesh. 27 hand dimensions were measured, recorded, and analysed from the sample populations. The mean, standard deviation, and different percentile esteems of collected data were also estimated and recorded. Moreover, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and t-statistical tests were performed for making the anthropometric comparison among different populaces. Results showed that all the hand dimensions of the males were higher than that recorded for the female participants of Bangladesh. In addition, the outcomes showed noteworthy contrasts in hand measurements among Bangladeshi people and other considered populaces. The result of this examination is expected to influence the design of agricultural hand tools, machinery, and equipment in Bangladesh from industrialized countries. It will also generate the interest of more anthropometric studies in Bangladesh that are related to the design of hand tools or equipment for work or other activities.     

Our contemporaries

This study measured 21 anthropometric dimensions (ADs) of 94 Korean male helicopter pilots in their 20s to 40s and compared them with corresponding measurements of Korean male civilians and the US Army male personnel. The ADs and the sample size of the anthropometric survey were determined by a four-step process: (1) selection of ADs related to helicopter cockpit design, (2) evaluation of the importance of each AD, (3) calculation of required sample sizes for selected precision levels and (4) determination of an appropriate sample size by considering both the AD importance evaluation results and the sample size requirements. The anthropometric comparison reveals that the Korean helicopter pilots are larger (ratio of means = 1.01–1.08) and less dispersed (ratio of standard deviations = 0.71–0.93) than the Korean male civilians and that they are shorter in stature (0.99), have shorter upper limbs (0.89–0.96) and lower limbs (0.93–0.97), but are taller on sitting height, sitting eye height and acromial height (1.01–1.03), and less dispersed (0.68–0.97) than the US Army personnel.

Practitioner summary: The anthropometric characteristics of Korean male helicopter pilots were compared with those of Korean male civilians and US Army male personnel. The sample size determination process and the anthropometric comparison results presented in this study are useful to design an anthropometric survey and a helicopter cockpit layout, respectively.     

Review of anthropometric considerations for tractor seat design

Tractor driving imposes a lot of physical and mental stress upon the operator. If the operator's seat is not comfortable, his work performance may be poor and there is also a possibility of accidents. The optimal design of tractor seat may be achieved by integrating anthropometric data with other technical features of the design. This paper reviews the existing information on the tractor seat design that considers anthropometry and biomechanical factors and gives an approach for seat design based on anthropometric data. The anthropometric dimensions, i.e. popliteal height sitting (5th percentile), hip breadth sitting (95th percentile), buttock popliteal length (5th percentile), interscye breadth (5th and 95th percentile) and sitting acromion height (5th percentile) of agricultural workers need to be taken into consideration for design of seat height, seat pan width, seat pan length, seat backrest width and seat backrest height, respectively, of a tractor. The seat dimensions recommended for tractor operator's comfort based on anthropometric data of 5434 Indian male agricultural workers were as follows: seat height of 380 mm, seat pan width of 420–450 mm, seat backrest width of 380–400 mm (bottom) and 270–290 mm (top), seat pan length of 370±10 mm, seat pan tilt of 5–7° backward and seat backrest height of 350 mm.

Relevance to industry

The approach presented in this paper for tractor seat design based on anthropometric considerations will help the tractor seat designers to develop and introduce seats suiting to the requirements of the user population. This will not only enhance the comfort of the tractor operators but may also help to reduce the occupational health problems of tractor operators.     

Anthropometry of South Indian industrial workmen

This paper presents the results of an anthropometric survey conducted on South Indian male workers in the electronic industry. The data were collected as part of a project to modify work stations that utilized equipment from other countries. A set of 27 body dimensions were taken from a sample of 128 workmen (aged 18–35 years). The anthropometric measurements are compared with those of Indian men from Central, Western, and Northern parts of India and with those of the American, German, and Japanese men. The results indicate that in general the South Indian man is smaller than Central, Western, and Northern Indian men, as well as smaller than men in America, Germany, Japan, and Africa. This difference needs to be allowed for when considering buying and subsequently using imported equipment for the electronics industry in South India.     

Anthropometry of south Indian industrial workmen.

This paper presents the results of an anthropometric survey conducted on South Indian male workers in the electronic industry. The data were collected as part of a project to modify work stations that utilized equipment from other countries. A set of 27 body dimensions were taken from a sample of 128 workmen (aged 18-35 years). The anthropometric measurements are compared with those of Indian men from Central, Western, and Northern parts of India and with those of the American, German, and Japanese men. The results indicate that in general the South Indian man is smaller than Central, Western, and Northern Indian men, as well as smaller than men in America, Germany, Japan, and Africa. This difference needs to be allowed for when considering buying and subsequently using imported equipment for the electronics industry in South India.     

Level of match between facial dimensions of Chilean workers and respirator fit test panels proposed by LANL and NIOSH

The facial fit of respirators is crucial for determining how effectively respirators may protect users from exposure to airborne contaminants, when their use is required in the workplace. In the Chilean market, all the respirators available have been designed and manufactured using foreign regulations. The aim of this research was to determine the facial dimensions in a sample of Chilean workers (users or potential users of respiratory protective equipment) and the possible mismatch between their anthropometric characteristics and the respirator fit test panels proposed by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). An anthropometric survey that included 11 measurements was conducted, based on ISO/TS 16976–2 and ISO 15535 to ensure the highest standards possible, and a total of 474 workers (female: 229, male: 245), aged 18–66 years old participated in the survey. The anthropometric measurements were then contrasted with the fit test panels used in LANL (for half and full facepieces) and NIOSH (Bivariate and Principal component analysis (PCA)), to verify the level of mismatch. The results showed that LANL panels presented a level of mismatch of 11.8% and 21% for the half-facepiece and the full-facepiece, respectively. Considering the NIOSH bivariate and PCA panels, 4.6% and 4.4% of the sample remains without an assigned cell, respectively. It can be concluded that the LANL panels for half and full facepieces do not match the facial dimensions of the Chilean working population. The panels developed by NIOSH and considered by the ISO/TS 16976–2 (bivariate and PCA), are applicable to the Chilean working population.Relevance for the IndustryThis research provides anthropometric measurements of Chilean workers, to determine the dimensions for half- and full-facepiece respirators, which are currently not available. The NIOSH or ISO fit test panels, as opposed to LANL panels, should be used when manufacturing respirators for Chilean workers.     

Anthropometric characteristics of Chilean workers for ergonomic and design purposes

Obtaining an appropriate match between a product and its end-users requires anthropometric data, which are typically outdated and show variations among different countries. Chile had its anthropometric data taken nearly 20 years ago, thus they are probably outdated. The purpose of this article is to describe some anthropometric characteristics of Chilean workers. An anthropometric survey involving 27 measures and five calculated body dimensions was conducted in 2016. The measurements were based on ISO 7250 and ISO 15535 to ensure the highest standards possible, and a total of 2946 workers, aged from 18 to 76 years old, participated in the survey. The results showed that Chilean workers have smaller dimensions than Dutch and US workers but have larger dimensions than South Koreans. The data presented in this article constitute the most up-to-date anthropometric dataset describing the dimensions of Chilean workers.

Practitioner Summary: In Chile, women are smaller and weigh less than men, and both of these populations have high body mass index (BMIs). In addition, the Chilean population exhibits substantial differences compared with other international adult populations. The data presented in this article should be used as a reference when designing for Chilean workers.     

Anthropometric criteria for the design of tractor cabs and protection frames

Improved human?–?tractor interface designs, such as well-accommodated operator enclosures (i.e. cabs and protection frames) can enhance operator productivity, comfort and safety. This study investigated farm-worker anthropometry and determined the critical anthropometric measures and 3-D feature envelopes of body landmarks for the design of tractor operator enclosures. One hundred agriculture workers participated in the study. Their body size and shape information was registered, using a 3-D full-body laser scanner. Knee height (sitting) and another eight parameters were found to affect the cab-enclosure accommodation rating and multiple anthropometric dimensions interactively affected the steering wheel and gear-handle impediment. A principal component analysis has identified 15 representative human body models for digitally assessing tractor-cab accommodation. A set of centroid coordinates of 34 body landmarks and the 95% confidence semi-axis-length for each landmark location were developed to guide tractor designers in their placement of tractor control components in order to best accommodate the user population. Finally, the vertical clearance (90?cm) for agriculture tractor enclosure in the current SAE International J2194 standard appeared to be too short as compared to the 99th percentile sitting height of male farm workers in this study (100.6?cm) and in the 1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III database (99.9?cm) and of the male civilian population in the 2002 Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometric Resource database (100.4?cm).     

Anthropometric criteria for the design of tractor cabs and protection frames

Improved human-tractor interface designs, such as well-accommodated operator enclosures (i.e. cabs and protection frames) can enhance operator productivity, comfort and safety. This study investigated farm-worker anthropometry and determined the critical anthropometric measures and 3-D feature envelopes of body landmarks for the design of tractor operator enclosures. One hundred agriculture workers participated in the study. Their body size and shape information was registered, using a 3-D full-body laser scanner. Knee height (sitting) and another eight parameters were found to affect the cab-enclosure accommodation rating and multiple anthropometric dimensions interactively affected the steering wheel and gear-handle impediment. A principal component analysis has identified 15 representative human body models for digitally assessing tractor-cab accommodation. A set of centroid coordinates of 34 body landmarks and the 95% confidence semi-axis-length for each landmark location were developed to guide tractor designers in their placement of tractor control components in order to best accommodate the user population. Finally, the vertical clearance (90 cm) for agriculture tractor enclosure in the current SAE International J2194 standard appeared to be too short as compared to the 99th percentile sitting height of male farm workers in this study (100.6 cm) and in the 1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III database (99.9 cm) and of the male civilian population in the 2002 Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometric Resource database (100.4 cm).     

A survey of hand anthropometry of female rural farm workers in Ibadan, western Nigeria

An anthropometric survey measuring 18 dimensions of the right hand in 37 female rural farm workers living in Ibadan, western Nigeria was conducted. The means, standard deviations and percentile values are reported for these. The means of the collected data are compared with those for females from the UK, from Hong Kong and from America, using data from other published studies. The results suggest that the Nigerian female hand is wider and thicker, but shorter than that of their foreign counterparts. Such differences have implications for design and evaluation of hand tools for the Nigerian female population.     

A survey of hand anthropometry of female rural farm workers in Ibadan,Western Nigeria

An anthropometric survey measuring 18 dimensions of the right hand in 37 female rural farm workers living in Ibadan, western Nigeria was conducted. The means, standard deviations and percentile values are reported for these. The means of the collected data are compared with those for females from the UK, from Hong Kong and from America, using data from other published studies. The results suggest that the Nigerian female hand is wider and thicker, but shorter than that of their foreign counterparts. Such differences have implications for design and evaluation of hand tools for the Nigerian female population.     

A work measurement method for application in Indian agriculture

The usual scales of rating in work measurement practices are based on subjective assessment of effort and walking speed of workers. In the present paper an attempt was made to correlate walking speed and stride length with selected anthropometric and physiological measurements (heart rates), using three groups of farm workers. Linear simple and multiple regressions were obtained to identify the best possible correlation between the above parameters. Accordingly, a rating scale was developed and applied in ploughing, transplanting, reaping and sheafing operation in rice cultivation.

The result showed that the preferred speed of walking of the farm workers was 1.39 m/s and step frequency at that speed was 103 steps/min. On application of the suggested scale on the abovee four agricultural operations, it was observed that the majority of the workers' working loads and efforts were more than they should be.     

Ethnic differences in Indonesian anthropometry data: Evidence from three different largest ethnics

Different ethnics may show different dimension on anthropometry. This study measures 1135 students from three different ethnics in Indonesia, all participated based on voluntarily basis, to see whether ethnicity is a significant factor in Indonesian anthropometric data. There were 632 Minangkabau students mostly located in Sumatera Island, 344 Javanese students mostly located in East and Central Java Island, and 157 Sundanese students mostly located in West Java. Results showed that most of mean dimensions and all of the bodily proportions have significant differences, both for male and female subjects. The implications for Indonesian anthropometric databases and design purposes are discussed.Relevance to industryTo enhance safety and comfort, design of equipments and facilities in Indonesia should take into account anthropometric differences in Indonesians ethnics. Failure to do so will imply in the less safe and comfort.     

A survey of the anthropometric data relating to five ethnic groups in Assam considering gender and ethnic diversity: Application of the data in designing an improvised pedal-operated Chaak

This study was undertaken to gather and analyze the anthropometric data of five ethnic groups from Assam, India. In this study, 72 anthropometric body dimensions, including the age and body weight of 453 people from different districts of Assam, India, are summarized. The sample included 265 male and 188 female participants in the age group of 18–60 years. Five different ethnic groups of the state, that is, Boro, Garo, Hira, Karbi, and Rabha, are considered in the study. People associated with the handicraft sector are considered for the study's purposes. The variation in anthropometric data considering gender and ethnic diversity is also examined, and significant differences are observed in relation to gender and ethnicity. The most notable variation observed is in the anthropometric dimensions of Hira population when compared to the other four ethnic groups of the same gender. Factor analysis and regression modelling are also done as part of the study. Further, the collected data are used to redesign the traditional Chaak (pottery wheel) and, cater to their comfort with added safety. These enhancements are intended to double the productivity of artisans as compared to that obtained by the existing Chaak that is being used by the artisans.The relevance of the studyThe fresh anthropometric data summarized in this study will be helpful for redesigning tools and machinery for the rural population of Assam, India. The outcomes of the study will add knowledge to the differences existing with regard to the anthropometric data of the different native groups from a small geographical space.     

Dual versus Solo Pilot Navigation in Helicopters at Low Level

Abstract

Although British drivers are not as diverse a population as those of the United Stales, they are not a homogeneous group. Nor are they necessarily representative of the population as a whole. The British car industry has a potential home market of I 25 million cars. It is therefore important to identify the driving population, as the design of many aspects of the car depends on their anthropometric characteristics.

An anthropometric survey was carried out by MIRA to provide details of drivers specifically related to the design of cars. The drivers were sampled over a set of survey points throughout England, Scotland and Wales, and a brief measurement session was held in a mobile laboratory. This has made a data bank available, from which to answer specific design problems, particularly those related to multiple dimensions.

The measurements have shown that the driving population differs from the US civilian statistics currently used in much design and legislation. Dimensional models are suggested for 5th percentile female and 95th percentile male drivers, which may be used as design tools.