Changing human anthropometry (i.e., population composition, body size, body shape, and aging) in the American workforce requires that workplace layout, equipment, and personal protective devices be re-evaluated to accommodate diverse worker populations for effective injury prevention and control. NIOSH researchers use the NIOSH Anthropometry Research Laboratory to collect and quantify human body size and shape of various occupational groups for use in developing improved equipment designs for worker protection.
Equipped with a series of low-energy three-dimensional scanning devices, the lab was developed in 1995 and remains among only a few research facilities worldwide with similar capabilities and advanced technologies.
Four scanning systems – whole body, head, foot, and hand-held small object scanning – are available for use in a wide variety of research applications.
- The whole-body scanner has a resolution of 3 mm and requires only 17 seconds to complete a scan.
- The head scanner captures high resolution image of a subject’s head in just a few seconds.
- The foot scanner records a subject’s foot in 3-dimensional modes in a few second and reports linear dimensions of the foot as well.
- The hand-held scanner can be used to capture small stationary objects – such as tools and hands – or large objects – such as cab interiors.
Our scientists have developed a series of anthropometry study procedures for collecting anthropometry data, quantifying human body shape, and evaluating human-equipment interfaces for various protective equipment and workspace design applications.