Australia: EHS Implications of Obesity for Workplace Designers

ASCC Chairman Bill Scales, AO, commenting on the release of “Sizing Up Australia: How Contemporary Is the Anthropometric Data Australian Designers Use?,” said, “This report follows up on the previously released scoping paper on the implications of overweight and obesity for workplace health and safety and workers’ compensation.”

The report investigates what anthropometric data is being used by designers of workplace equipment and products and assesses whether this data reflects the contemporary Australian workforce. Anthropometric data are the measurements of the human body form used by designers to represent the human shape and size in designing products, spaces and systems.

ABS found that in 2008, more than 7 million Australians ages 18 years and over are overweight or obese, representing an increase of 2.8 million over the previous 15 years.

“A number of emerging issues including the extent of overweight and obesity amongst the Australian workforce may have implications for the designers of workplace equipment and products,” Scales said.

“This initial research suggests that existing Australian anthropometric data may not adequately represent the current Australian workforce. Australia’s anthropometric dimensions have changed due to improved nutrition, increasing rates of obesity, aging and different migration patterns,” he added.

Australian designers polled in the study said they were concerned that they were using out of date or inaccurate data and indicated they want access to data which accurately reflects the current body shape of the Australian workforce.

“More accurate Australian anthropometric data and tools will help our designers make workplaces safer,” Scales said.

This report is available from the ASCC Web site at http://www.ascc.gov.au.