Engineering Anthropometry of Farmworkers

Abstract

Today, more and more manually operated as well as powered farm implements and machinery are brought into farm operations. The matching of machinery requirements with human capabilities is necessary for the optimum man–machine functional compatibility. The essential requirement is to apply anthropometric dimensions of users in the design and application of farm tools and equipment for better functional ease, reduction in drudgery, and safety of the farmworkers. This chapter explores the technology of anthropometry in ascertaining human physical traits, primarily such factors as size, mobility, and strength. In many countries, efforts have been made to establish an anthropometric database for different population groups, such as civilians, military personnel, students, and industrial workers. There is a lacuna of data of the farming population. ISO 15535 specifies general requirements for establishing an anthropometric database, and ISO 7250 deals with the definition of the anthropometric parameters, and the data from some member countries. A considerable variation exists in body dimensions of people, due to race, ethnicity, nutrition, and other characteristics. The chapter includes a comparison of anthropometric data from different countries, including the representative Indian men and women farmworkers. Besides, muscular strength data are beneficial for the ergo-design of farm tools and equipment. The chapter elucidates the methodological details and the data of muscle strength parameters for better human performance and safety.