The chair is one of the important elements in daily work. Working in the office, sewing, typing, meeting, attending seminars, call centre operators and various other activities carried out over a long period of time and repeatedly. If the chair used is not suitable for the size of the human body itself, it will cause pain in the back. Back pain is included in musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
This condition is experienced by almost all employees and of course, interfere with their health, this condition is classified as occupational diseases. Namely the risks posed by the work or work environment. Also, this condition will have a big impact on employee productivity and become additional work for the company because it has resulted in lowered employee health.
Therefore, companies need to pay attention to the design of the right chair depending on the type of work, age, and accuracy on the parts of the human body. Then, how to get the right chair that we needed?
Ergonomics and Anthropometric Measurement
The development of science and technology makes it possible to design things completely. Here requires proper knowledge of ergonomics, which we discussed in the previous article. Moreover, with producing an ergonomic chair needs to be made in accordance with the anthropometry of its users.
Anthropometry itself is a measurement that refers to human individuals. Basically, every tool used in anthropometric studies has a function as an identification tool. Includes systematic measurement of the physical characteristics of the human body, especially the dimensions of the size and shape of the human body.
In the application of anthropometric data required in the method of product design or work facilities, Wignjosoebroto (1995) provides several recommendations for work steps, particularly:
1. Describe the observed limbs which will function to operate the design.
2. Determine the body dimensions that are important in the design process. This problem that must be paid attention also is whether it must use structural body dimension or functional dimension data.
3. Discover the largest number of populations that must be discussed and become the main target users of the product design.
4. Establishing the size principle that must be followed, such as whether the design is for individual measurements that are extreme (adjustable) or average size.
5. Choosing the percentage of the population that must be followed for example 90 years old, 95 years old, 99 years old or other desired percentile grading. For example, 95 years old percentiles indicate that 95% of the population will be at or below that size; while the 5 years old percentile indicates that 5% of the population will be at or below that size.
6. Implement the data and combine an allowance factor as needed as well as an additional measure due to the thickness of the supporting device that must be worn by the operator.
Various Anthropometric Measurement Tools
Then, to make it easier to obtain these measurement data, in the science of ergonomics several anthropometric measuring devices are used, specifically:
1. Anthropometer
An anthropometer is a device that consists of a pipe along 2000 mm, composed of four sections with a handle that can be moved up or down and a stable handle. The pipe has a scale with an accuracy of 1 mm. Anthropometers are used in length measurements such as height.
2. Anthropometry Chair
Anthropometric chairs are used in measuring human anthropometric data, especially in a sitting position. The data collected following are used to design various chairs as well as to design a variety of work facilities related to humans as the wearer.
3. Campbell Caliper 20
This tool serves to measure the width or thickness of the torso (torso breadths) such as the acromial, transverse chest (transverse chest), biiliocristal and so on.
4. Segmometer
This instrument is used to measure projected heights and direct segmental lengths such as body height, shoulder height in standing position, etc.
5. Scales
This instrument is applied specifically for measuring body weight. Scales must be monitored regularly for accuracy.
6. Measuring Tape
This instrument is generally used in measuring circumference or curves (arcs). This ribbon has a precision scale of 1 mm.
One of the most efficient ways is to use anthropometric chairs and anthropometry kit.
Anthropometry chair is a chair that helps to measure the dimensions of the human body, the anthropometric chair that we designed to measure up to 34 dimensions of the human body.
In addition, to fairly complete measurement, measuring using an anthropometric chair does not require experts and only requires thoughtful observation. This anthropometric chair is also more durable for years of use.
For that, if you need a measuring device to get the accuracy of the goods manufactured in accordance with its users and support the activities properly, then this chair becomes a useful item to support your production activities.
Beside, anthropometry kits are also one of the proper tools to use in anthropometric measurements. Unlike the anthropometric chair, the function of this instrument is to carry out measurements in more detail.
There are three main instruments, specifically anthropometer, sliding caliper, small spreading caliper.
This instrument is suited to be used to measure body dimensions in detail. This specific measurement will impact on the suitability of the required data. For those of you who are looking for a specific and quality anthropometric measurement instrument. Please visit the following link to see more complete specifications on anthropometry kits.
And if you want to know the difference between this two tools. You can check on our lastest article here.
