Source
NOIRS 2003-Abstracts of the National Occupational Injury Research Symposium 2003. Pittsburgh, PA: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2003 Oct; :45
Abstract
The Census Bureau predicts that Hispanics will represent 25% of the U.S. population by 2050. Employment distributions reveal that Hispanic workers tend to be more heavily represented in higher risk industries and occupations than other racial/ethnic groups. The results from the 2000 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program show higher fatal and non-fatal workplace injuries and illness rates for Hispanic workers than for other racial/ethnic groups, and that their rates are increasing. This study reports anthropometric measurements of Hispanic workers recorded in the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), from 1982-1984. These data are the most current measurements available from a national survey of Hispanic civilians. It describes various physical body measurements across Hispanic occupational groups among three distinct ethnic sub-groups: Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican origin. The analysis of the HHANES data shows that weight, size and body segment measurements of some Hispanic occupational groups differ significantly among Hispanics, and differ significantly from other similar occupational groups of non-Hispanic races described in other non-military U.S. anthropometric databases. For example, Hispanics are 5cm smaller than other U.S. racial groups regardless of gender. Cuban-Americans have the tallest stature, Mexican-Americans the broadest shoulders, and Puerto Ricans the smallest body segment circumferences. Anthropometry is the study of human body size and proportions. In occupational health and safety applications, anthropometric measurements are used to evaluate the interaction of workers with their tasks and tools. Inappropriate fit of PPE or accommodation of the workplace to the size of the worker can compromise their performance and safety. Those who evaluate, design, or modify the human-machine interface for Hispanic occupational groups need to know these anthropometric differences.