Hsiao-H; Long-D; Snyder-K Ergonomics 2002 Feb; 45(2):136-152 The
increasing demands for anthropometric information for the design
of machinery and personal protective equipment to prevent
occupational injuries has necessitated an understanding of the
anthropometric differences to be found among occupations. This
study identified differences in various body measurements
between occupational groups in the USA, as determined in the
third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Approximately 16,000 of its 32,900 subjects were associated with
an occupational group. The analysis of the data showed that the
body size, or body segment measurements, of some occupational
groups differ significantly. For example, agricultural workers
were shorter by an average of 2.5 cm in height, and had wider
wrist breadths, than other workers. Female agricultural and
manufacturing workers had larger waist circumferences than those
in the 'other occupations' and 'all occupations' categories.
Protective service workers (i.e.