Title: Measuring anthropometric data for designing hand tools in handicraft industries

Authors: M.L. Meena; G.S. Dangayach; A. Bhardwaj

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, J.L.N. Marg, Jaipur – 302017, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, J.L.N. Marg, Jaipur – 302017, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, J.L.N. Marg, Jaipur – 302017, India

Abstract: This research manuscript presents anthropometric data of handicraft industries of Jaipur, Rajasthan (north western region of India). It comprises of 160 male workers (age group 18-60 years). The data were analysed by computing mean, standard deviation, range and coefficients of variation. The correlation coefficients were also estimated in-order-to find out the relationship among various anthropometric measures. It is observed that measurements in the vertical direction viz. stature, shoulder height, eye height, and elbow height, are highly correlated among each other. Further, the anthropometric dimensions of workers of this region were compared with those of the other regions (north-eastern, southern and eastern) of India and other ethnic group of populations. The aim of this study is to provide the data to manufactures/designers, so that they are able to design specifically suited tools for the workers. Further, the recommendations about the anthropometric data/values for development of workstation and hand tools of handicraft industries are suggested.

Keywords: anthropometric data; variation coefficients; handicraft industries; hand tools; musculoskeletal disorders; process design; productivity; quality; working environment; workstation design; tool design; India; ethnic groups; ergonomics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2013.058159

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2013 Vol.3 No.3, pp.334 - 351

Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *

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