Analysing Contact and Non-Contact Methods of Anthropometric Data Collecting in Estonian Rescue Board

Abstract

This study investigates different non-contact and contact methods to find a suitable measuring approach for taking body measurements from rescue workers. In the public sector, when ordering a uniform, every employee has to provide the body measurements themselves. This is a difficult task for ordinary consumer. Therefore, most employees give old uniform sizes. However, in the case of changes in industrial patterns of sewed items, it is necessary to know the actual body dimensions. In this article, three methods have been studied: measuring with a measuring tape from the human body, measuring with a body scanner Human Solution 3D and measuring with two different smartphone applications - apps. Forty seven employees of the Rescue Board were measured within a period of two weeks using different methods. After the analysis, the correct measurement instructions were prepared for the employees. The measurement instructions involved a combination of two approaches – tape measuring method and selected mobile app method. Collecting the right anthropometric data helps to produce work clothing of the right size and better fit, optimise the need for stocks and is the basis for creating an online order system for uniforms.