SEDL / STP / STP1133-EB / STP19193S

Anthropometric Analysis of Fit Problems in Chemical Protective Gloves

Tremblay, JF
Defence Scientist, Defence Research Establishment Ottawa, Shirley Bay, Ottawa

Crown, EM
Professor, Research Associate, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

Rigakis, KB
Professor, Research Associate, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

Pages: 17    Published: Jan 1992

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Abstract

This paper demonstrates the usefulness of anthropometries in analyzing sizing problems found in commercially available chemical protective gloves for agricultural workers and makes recommendations for the design of better fitting gloves. The Engineering Anthropometric Clothing Design Model served as the framework for this research.

Because no data on the hand dimensions of agricultural workers were available an anthropometric survey was conducted of 380 Alberta grain farmers who handle pesticides. Nineteen hand dimensions were measured for each subject. When compared to military populations, the hand circumference of agricultural workers was found to be significantly larger.

A smaller sample of farmers who were representative of the agricultural population evaluated the static and dynamic fit of four glove types. Through this evaluation several major problems in the design of the gloves were identified. To improve the fit of chemical protective gloves for agricultural workers, the length of fingers need to be shortened and the thumb position relocated.