No of Lessons - 2

Topic 1: Human Factors and Ergonomics

1.1 Anthropometrics
Lesson Objectives

All – Describe and provide exams to show different types

of data.

Most – Collect & interpret anthropometric data and draw

a bell curve to identify the percentiles.

Some – Apply the principles of anthropometrics to

analyse products, considering the clearance, reach and
adjustability.
Human Factors
The term Human Factors is used for the combination of ergonomics and
anthropometrics

Human Factors aims to:

● Reduce stress and fatigue on people, as they will be
able to do things faster,
more easily, more safely and make fewer mistakes
(reduce errors)
● Increase safety
● Increase ease of use
● Enhance operational comfort
● Improve system performance, reliability and
maintenance
 Ergonomics
What is ergonomics?
It is the application of scientific information concerning the relationship of human beings to
the design of objects, systems and environments.

Physical ergonomics most often deals with the Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental
work-related subjects of: posture; worksite processes, such as perception, memory,
development operating layout; material reasoning, and motor response, as they affect
handling; repetitive stress and movement; interactions among humans and other
repetitive stress injuries and musculoskeletal elements of a system.
disorders; and occupational safety and health.
The aspect of ergonomics that deals with body
measurements,
particularly those of size, strength and physica
l capacity.
 Design is human centred and, therefore, designers need to ensure that the products they design are the right
size for the user and therefore comfortable to use. Designers have access to data and drawings, which state
measurements of human beings of all ages and sizes. Designers need to consider how users will interact with
the product or service. Use and misuse is an important consideration.

Ergonomics & Design Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAKlmdMHpdE

Anthropometric data sets can vary significantly between

populations. Particularly in the fashion industry, the variance in
these data sets impacts the size range of clothes for particular
markets.

http://www.ergonomics4schools.com
http://personal.cityu.edu.hk/~meachan/Online%20Anthropometry/Chapter1/Ch1.htm
Skywriter seat proposal from Cathy Pacific
 Anthropometric data
Anthropometrics:

The aspect of ergonomics that deals with body measurements, particularly those of size, strength
and physical capacity.

• static (structural) data – are the measurements when the body is in a

fixed position, i.e static, such as height. joint to joint, skin and bulk.
• Data is collected using standardised equipment such as callipers,
stadiometer or anthropometer.
• Design contexts include chair height, door width, etc.
• dynamic (functional) data – are measurements that relate a range or
reach of various types of body movements such reach, grip strength,
reaction times, etc Stadiometer
• Design contexts in can openers, car console features
Anthropometer
 Primary data versus secondary data

Primary data is collected by the researcher or designer Secondary data is collected from a
themselves. This would be carried out if there is a database.
specialised group of people that may not have been
studied.

Key Questions

1 - Can you list a number of different primary and secondary methods of research?

2 - When designing a new product it is very important to collect primary and secondary
data, what challenges can you face in ensuring that the primary data is accurate and
reliable?
 Percentiles and percentile ranges
Percentile range: That proportion of a population with a dimension at or less than a given value.

Percentiles are shown in anthropometry tables and they

tell you whether the measurement given in the tables
relates to the 'average' person, or someone who is
above or below average in a certain dimension.

interpret percentile tables based

on different national and
international, populations,
gender and age.
Percentiles and percentile ranges
Percentile range: That proportion of a population with a dimension at or less than a given value.

• In the table (Male Rowers) below of the lightest (least

heaviest) rowers are the 5th percentile and they weigh 69.8
kgs or less.
• You need to be able interpret percentile tables for user
populations in a design context.
• When considering percentile ranges the design context
factors in as well.
- If comfort or safety are important then a range of
percentiles must be considered. For example Percentile
motorcycle helmets need to fit snugly in order to function Range
Curve
properly in protecting the head.
- If a product is in short use and safety or comfort such
as a school desk then the 50th percentile would be
appropriate.
What is it that you are aiming for with your Design examples:​ Examples of​ Users that your design should
design?​ measurements to consider:​ accommodate:​

Easy reach​ Vehicle dashboards,​ • Arm length​ Smallest user: ​

Shelving​ • Shoulder height​ 5th percentile​

Adequate clearance to avoid unwanted Manholes,​ • Shoulder or hip width​ Largest user: ​
contact or trapping​ Cinema seats​ • Thigh length​ 95th percentile​
​

A good match between the user and the Seats,​ • Knee-floor height​ Maximum range: ​
product​ Cycle helmets,​ • Head circumference​ 5th to 95th percentile​
​ Pushchairs​ • Weight​

A comfortable and safe posture​ Lawnmowers,​ • Elbow height​ Maximum range: ​

Monitor positions,​ • Sitting eye height​ 5th to 95th percentile​
Work surface heights​ • Elbow height (sitting or standing?)​ ​

Easy operation​ Screw bottle tops,​ • Grip strength​ Smallest or weakest user:​
​ Door handles,​ • Hand width​ 5th percentile​
Light switches​ • Height​

To ensure that an item can't be reached or Machine guarding mesh, • Finger width​ Smallest user: ​
operated​ Distance of railings from • Arm length​ 5th percentile​
hazard​ Largest user: ​
95th percentile​
Task 1
What anthropometric data do you need to collect for an
office chair and desk?

Annotate the picture showing the measurements to be

collected.
 gaussian curve

Task 2
• In groups of 2, select 1-piece important piece of
anthropometric data needed for the office chair.
• Collect this data from you peers and collate it in table.
• Find the mean, median and mode of the data.
• Find the 5th, 50th & 95th percentiles.

Finding the percentiles: Extension:

- put the values in order from lowest Compare your data to the anthropometry tables online. Are
to highest. you results different? Why could this be the case? How could
- times the percentage (95% would be
0.95) by total number of values.
the results be made more reliable?
- Then count along until your get that
value. For example if it is 12.2, then it
is the 12th value.
Reach:
Also known as workspace envelope.
It is the 3D space within which you
can carry out physical work
activities when you are at a fixed
location.

Clearance:
The minimum distance required to, enable the user into or through an area. - Example - a door.
 Example:
Adjustability An ironing board can be adjusted to
allow people of different height to use
it comfortably.
Range of sizes versus adjustability

Range of Sizes
 Ergonomes
A 2D scaled physical anthropometric model
based on a specific percentile human forms
are called ergonomes .

The ergonomes have been scaled from data Manakins

taken from specific percentile ranges to It is an anatomical 3D model of the
form a standard human form. Ergonomes human body. They are useful for assessing
are used with drawings of the same scale as the relationship of the body parts to
the model to consider the relationship spatial arrangements represented by a 3D
between the size of an object and people. model, for e example, a chair to a desk.
- More expensive then ergonomes as in
full size.
- They give a better representation of the
overall ergonomics.
- Example – used as crash test dummies.
Design contexts http://
www.ergonomics4schools.com/
lzone/anthropometry.htm
Of different percentile ranges used:

• Ergonomic4schools anthropometry section has a nice table showing design

contexts. Take note of when dynamic or static data is used.

There is a great deal of anthropometric data available. Students are expected to be

able to:

• interpret percentile tables in order to calculate dimensions related to a product.

- Can opener – requires the dynamic data of grip and torque.

Butterfly opener – can be hard to use for some groups. Ergonomically designed – big easy grip handles and wing nut
Q.1 - Why does a designer need to consider adjustability when designing seating?

Q.2 - Explain what is meant by the range of sizes versus adjustability.

Q.3 - Outline the advantages to using a manikin when testing the ergonomics of a product?

Extension Question:

Explain the limitation of using the 50th percentile as a means of designing for the ‘average’ person.

Exam Questions
Marking Scheme / Answers
Q.1 - Why does a designer need to consider adjustability when designing seating?

Q.2 - Explain what is meant by the range of sizes versus adjustability.

Q.3 - Outline the advantages to using a manikin when testing the ergonomics of a product?

Can use anthropometric data to create a manikin for the required percentile range.
In products where safety is a concern, it ensure no risk to users in the testing stage.