Anthropometry of male agricultural workers of western India for the design of tools and equipments

•Anthropometric data of western India male worker is presented.•Fifty nine body dimensions from 303 subjects of 23 districts of Maharashtra are collected.•Results are compared with other region results in India and other countries.•Western India male workers differ in anthropometric data.•Need for redesign/refinement of equipments and tools.

Agricultural workers and farmers in India perform most of the agricultural operations manually. Hence, for the design of farm equipments, hand tools and machinery involving human efforts, region specific anthropometric data is needed. A survey was conducted to collect anthropometric dimensions of male agricultural workers in the state of Maharashtra in India in the age group of 18–60 years. Almost 59 body dimensions were selected for the measurement from the recommendations by All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Human Engineering and Safety in Agriculture (HESA) and requisite by digital human manikin modeling. Total 303 male agricultural workers were selected from 23 districts of Maharashtra by convenience sampling. Repeatability of the measurements was checked by paired samples t test. From the measured dimensions, the values of minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation (SD), standard error of mean (SEM), coefficient of variation (CV), 5th and 95th percentile values were determined. The results of the survey were compared with results of other regions of India and other countries.Relevance to industryThe anthropometric data of user population is very utile for the design/improvement of farm equipments/implements for agricultural workers in order to reduce drudgery, increase efficiency, safety and comfort.