An anthropometric study of Serbian metal industry workers

Analyzing musculoskeletal risk-severity among small scale casting workers using ergonomic assessment tools: A statistical approach

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are leading cause of injuries among economically backward workers employed under small scale metal casting units especially in developing countries. In India, most casting unit’s falls under small and medium enterprises having inadequacy of advanced technological equipment’s due to several economic constraints and rely intensively on manual labour. Foundry work is very much prone to WMSDs involving much physical interaction of workers with their jobs which includes several risk factors. OBJECTIVE: The study objectives were to analyse the musculoskeletal risk prevalence among small scale casting workers using ergonomic assessment tools and statistical approach. METHODS: In present study, WMSDs risk prevalence has been examined using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and virtual ergonomics. Further, risk evaluations were analysed using Mann–Whitney U test and Taguchi L25 orthogonal array. RESULTS: Results revealed manual handling task as being most vulnerable followed by the fettling section. Statistically significant differences were observed (p-value < 0.05) among all the work-sections except lift-lower task and molding section (p = 0.361; p > 0.05) for left side region; and lift-lower task and fettling section (p = 0.230; p > 0.05) for the right side region, where differences were not statistically significant. ANOVA results indicated that workstation height followed by population percentile and object weight were dominant factors significantly affecting the response parameter i.e. L4-L5 spine compression (p-value < 0.01); however workstation width (p-value > 0.05) had no significant effect. CONCLUSION: The present study may guide foundry industrialists in analysing the mismatch between the workers’ job profile and redesigning existing workstation layouts in small scale foundries based on minimizing the WMSDs risk severity associated with the work tasks.

Head and facial dimensions of Chilean workers for design purposes and the differences with other populations

BACKGROUND: An appropriate match between a product and its end-users requires anthropometric data, which show variations among different countries. Proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) fit is key for safety and comfort. Chile had no head and facial anthropometric data available in order to design face/head PPE. OBJECTIVE: To describe face/head anthropometric characteristics of Chilean workers. Additionally, this study compared those dimensions against other populations (United States (US), South Korea and China). METHODS: An anthropometric survey involving 21 measures was conducted between September 2013 to May 2016 using stratified sampling. The measurements were based on ISO/TS 16976-2 and ISO 15535 to ensure the highest standards possible, and a total of 474 workers, aged from 18 to 66 years old, participated in the survey. RESULTS: The biggest differences were in Neck circumference, Weight, Nose breadth, Nose protrusion, Bitragion chin arc, Face length, Subnasale-sellion length, Face width, Bigonial breadth and Bitragion subnasal arc. Head length of Chileans were longer than Chinese and South Korean ones, but shorter than US Head length. Chilean Head breadth is smaller than Chinese and South Korean ones. Chileans Face length was the largest observed. Face width of Chileans was smaller than US and Chinese ones. Gender specific differences were also observed in the inter-country comparisons. Chilean males had larger anthropometric dimensions than females. CONCLUSION: Chilean Head and face dimensions differed significantly when compared against US, South Korean and Chines Head and Face dimensions. Chileans have longer and narrower faces with wider mouths, with a head size in between the US and Asian heads. Face and head PPE for Chileans should use dimensions in the current paper in order to ensure proper fit.

Secular changes in the anthropometrics of Chilean workers and its implication in design

BACKGROUND

Anthropometrics is very important when ensuring a physical match between end users and product or workstations.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study are twofold, to provide anthropometric data for the design of products and to examine the secular changes in the adult Chilean workers in a period of more than 20 years.

METHODS

Nineteen anthropometric measurements from two samples from 1995 and 2016 were compared using independent t-test (95% confidence interval), where additionally absolute and relative differences were calculated.

RESULTS

The secular trend observed for Stature is characterized by an increase average of 20mm and 10.5mm per decade for females and males, respectively. There is a positive secular trend for both genders, which is observed for most of the selected body measurements. The most pronounced increases were onWeight, Shoulder breadth, Body mass index, Popliteal height; Buttock-popliteal length and Hip width.

CONCLUSIONS

Segmental dimensions that experienced a positive secular trend, together with Weight and Stature, are highly correlated with seating design, addressing the need to review products targeting Chilean adult workers, such as public transport seats, office furniture or industrial workplaces.