Anthropometric Measurements of Garment Manufacturing Workers of Tirupur, Tamilnadu

Abstract

Anthropometric data are used for proper design of workstation, equipment, furniture and many more in order to decrease awkward postures and stresses on human body due to improper design. Mismatch between anthropometric dimensions and consumer products may cause health problems such as musculoskeletal disorders, concentration deficit, and similar problems. Anthropometric data were collected from 50 male and 50 female stitching machine operators aged 18-50 years employed in garment manufacturing units. Mean and standard deviationage of the male workers were 29.8±7.9 years and female 29±8.1 years. Twelve anthropometric measurements for sitting posture were recorded. Body dimensions such as sitting height, eye height, mid-shoulder height, elbow rest height, upper lumbar, lower lumbar and popliteal height between both genders were found to be highly significant. All the body dimensions were found to be highly correlated with age of the workers except for lower lumbar and hip breadth as non significant. The anthropometry data of the present study was compared with studies carried out by Gite et al. (2009), Parimalam et al. (2007) and Kabir and Ahmed (2003). It was found to be significant for majority of the parameters.