Sizing up Australia: What use have designers made of anthropometric data?
This paper reports on a pilot research project funded by Safe Work Australia on the use of anthropometry by designers of Australian workplaces, and products used in Australian workplaces. The Australian workforce has changed in size, shape and ethnic composition significantly since 1926 when the first anthropometric data were collected in Australia. In particular, the population appears to have become heavier but not much taller, which has implications for designers of equipment and places for the Australian workforce. Our work summarises the current use and future direction for the collection and use of anthropometric data for the Australian workforce. As part of the research we conducted a literature review of published and ‘grey (unpublished) literature. We developed and conducted a survey of designers across Australia, and interviewed designers or representatives of the various occupational health and safety (OHS) regulators, and conducted two focus groups. We found that Australian designers rely heavily on readily available 1D data sources to tell them about users. These data are almost certainly misleading for engineering design applications, and they are not always used in a reliable and statistically robust way. Designers were concerned about Standards that incorporate data because these data are sometimes conflicting or inaccurate and the Standards are called up into legislation, or are a design criterion in contracts. Thus, the designer is left with an uncertain level of responsibility. Participants expressed the need for reliable, high quality, accessible and affordable anthropometric data that can inform their work. They were particularly interested in access to 3D data of the Australian workforce. However, the use of computer-aided anthropometry, such as 3D body scans and computer-aided design has enhanced the accuracy but also increased the complexity of the application of anthropometric data to design. This research reinforces that safety and health can potentially be ‘designed in to Australian workplaces and the products and equipment used in those workplaces. Designing to prevent work-related illness and injury, and also to contribute to improved health and safety at work, requires access to reliable data about the Australian workforce, and anthropometric data are fundamental in the design process.
anthropometric human factors workplace design product design accommodation space
Daisy Veitch Verna Blewett David Caple
SHARP Dummies Pty Ltd University of South Australia David Caple and Associates
国际会议
17th World Congress on Ergonomics(第十七届国际人类工效学大会)
北京
英文
1-10
2009-08-09（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）