ERGONOMICS and ANTHROPOMETRICS

Lesson Objective

 Understand the term ‘ergonomics’ and be able to identify product features.

 Have an appreciation of anthropometric data and the way it is used in designing products.

Anthropometrics
The study of the human body involves collecting measurements is called Anthropometrics. The
data is usually displayed as a table of results. Anthropometric data is used by designers to help
make sure the products they design fit the user properly.

It is not normal to try and make every design fit every person. It would be totally unnecessary to
make the driver’s seat on a car comfortable for everyone including adults and children, as children
do not drive.

So a designer will select which kinds of people (age, gender, size) are most likely to use their prod-
ucts, and then the design will be made to fit them. This group of people is called the target popula-
tion.

Once the target population has been identified many measurements will be taken
from to find out how much they vary (largest and smallest). These sizes will be plot-
ted on a graph and then the product will be made to fit people between the 5th and
95th percentile, which will cover most people.

There are three main ways designers use these sizes

Range - Some things will require the product to be made in a range of sizes to suit
the target population, such as clothing, children's school chairs, shoes, etc.

Adjustable - Some things will be made adjustable to suit the range of people,
such as wrist watch straps, bicycles, office chairs, rucksack straps and drivers car
seats.

Average - Some things will be made to the average size (50th percentile) of the
target population so they will be comfortable for most of the people using them. Eg.
handles on draws, torches, cases and mugs.

Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of people in relation to their working environment, which
means designing products in a way which makes them easy to use and safe, ie. mak-
ing a product 'user friendly'.

Ease of use - The designer will carefully think through how people will use a product
and design it in a way which makes its use easier, quicker and generally more straight
forward. Ergonomics can affect all parts of a product but its effects can easily be seen
in controls.

Designers will try to make all controls clear and easy to use. Some of the ways they do this are -

 Make controls suit their purpose, ie. a volume control on a stereo is large for fine adjustment.
 Important dials and displays are placed directly in the users line of sight. Eg. speedometers.

Safety - It is the designers’ responsibility to make sure the things they design are not only easy to use but are also safe.
There are laws and regulations which control safe standards, and the designer needs to take account of these. Designers
will carefully look at a proposed product to make it has no sharp edges or finger traps, and that it is as safe and easily used
as possible.

Some examples of safety features are -

 Rotary lawn mowers have a double action switch so they cannot be

accidentally turned on.
 Pen tops have holes in so that if accidentally swallowed the person will not
suffocate.
 STOP buttons on all workshop machines stick out from the box which makes them
easy to press. ON buttons are flush making it harder to accidentally start the machine.
 Comments - AT HOME A
IN LESSON B
IN DETENTION C
SPAG D
PEER ASSESSED
DIRT E
1 - Describe the two things ergonomics focuses on.
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2 - Give two examples of ergonomic safety features in a toothbrush.

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3 - Explain what anthropometrics is.

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4 - Give an example of a product that uses a range of sizes, adjustable size and average size.
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Extension - Following on from question 5, select on of the products you have identified. Draw or print
and stick a picture of it below then identify the ergonomic and anthropometric features of the design.

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 ERGONOMICS activity THEORY No 31

Can you identify ergonomic features of this cordless drill?

What makes it easier to use?

What makes it more comfortable to use?

Identify and explain at least 5 in the space provided below.

 ANTHROPOMETRICS activity THEORY No 31

Measure the hand widths of 3 other

members of the class, record them in the
table below then work out the average
width. What could this information then
help us to design?

Person Number Hand Width (mm) Average Width

1 Width 1 + Width 2 + Width 3

2 3

3 = mm

Using this information I could design the following products better (state 5) -

 School bag handle

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