Anthropometric Measurements

The use of anthropometry in the assessment of exposure in the workplace allows:

• The evaluation of postures and range distances;

• Specification of body distances to risk equipments;

• The identification of objects or elements that cause constraints on movement;

• The complement of the mechanical load analysis (Del Prado-Lu, J., 2007).

A study performed on automotive industry showed that some linear and compose anthropometric characteristics might be related to a higher muscle load on shoulder joint complex and wrist. There is an increase for muscles’ activity of upper trapezius (P50th and P90th APDF with r2=0.73 and 0.62, respectively) and posterior deltoid (P10th, 50th and 90th APDF with r2=0.99, 0.97 and 0.95, respectively) for operators with lower elbow height. The finger’s common flexor muscle showed a negative relationship with hand length. Results suggest that superior cumulative load, especially in low intensity activation levels, implicates an excessive force application in grasping action for more robust operators during tools manipulation (Carnide, F. et al, 2006).