A study of female Mexican anthropometric measures useful for workstation design in light manufacturing facilities

As more and more manufacturing is moved to Mexico, the need for anthropometric data describing the Mexican working population becomes more pronounced. The purpose of this study was to obtain data on 21 anthropometric measures that could readily be used to design workplaces in light manufacturing operations. Eighty-seven females, representing 26% of the plant's employees, were sampled. Measurements were made with the shoes on. The mean stature (height) and elbow heights of this sample were 156 cm and 97 cm. Another recently published survey of female factory workers near the U.S. border included 12 anthropometric dimensions. Five of the dimensions were measured in both studies. Hand lengths were nearly identical; however, the 2 to 3 cm differences in the heights measured in the current study are consistent with the incorporation of the footwear in the current measurements. Thus, this study adds to the growing database that can be used when designing these light manufacturing jobs in Mexico.