DHHS, PHS, CDC, NIOSH, ALOSH, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505-2888

B -- DEVELOPMENT OF A PILOT STUDY OF WHOLE BODY ANTHROPOMETRY FOR THE DESIGN AND SIZING OF FALL-PROTECTION HARNESSES SOL RQ99-019 DUE 051299 POC Brenda Goodwin, 304/285-5882; Contracting Officer, Rex S. Wolfe, Jr., 304/285-5883 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in Morgantown, WV has a requirement for Development of a Pilot Study of Whole Body Anthropometry for the Design and Sizing of Fall-Protection Harnesses. Background In an industrial setting, poorly designed workplaces, equipment, and machinery can directly or indirectly result in traumatic injury to workers. Anthropometric data are critical to the effective design for human interface in the workplace and equipment use, and thus to the reduction of injury potentials. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Safety Research (DSR), is currently involved in an effort to establish a database containing anthropometric measures that are representative of populations working in the construction and agriculture industries. The measures will be obtained through the use of a state-of-the-art 3-D laser scanning system and traditional measurement tools. The data will be used to develop optimal tools, machinery, personal protective clothing and equipment that are associated with construction and agricultural industries. Fall-protection harnesses for construction workers have been identified as one area that would benefit from accurate anthropometric data in the design and selection process. NIOSH is currently initiating research into anthropometric applications to the sizing of fall-protection harnesses. Objectives The recipient of this award is to (1) identify the critical measures (and the corresponding anatomical landmarks) necessary for design and selection of fall-protection harnesses, (2) develop a research protocol for establishing a sizing system for the design of fall-protection harnesses and then conduct a pilot study, using at least 100 subjects, (3) compare the anthropometric measurements resulting from traditional measurement techniques and 3-dimensional scanning by using at least 100 subjects, and (4) develop a theory to formulate an anthropometric guide for users to select correct sizes of fall-protection harnesses for their work. Scope of work It is anticipated that the contractor will be completing the task in essentially four general phases over a time period not to exceed 18 months. The first phase will be to identify human body measurements that are considered critical when incorporating ergonomics into the design of a fall-protection harness as judged by objective criteria; e.g., consensus standards, prior experience, published literature, etc. The second phase will be to develop a research protocol. This protocol will include the background information of the design and use of fall-protection harnesses (e.g., current designs of fall-protection harnesses, current availability of whole body data on construction workers and 3-dimensional human body forms), research methods and procedures (e.g., sample selection, measurements and landmarks selection, data collection procedure, and proposed data processing and analysis methods), and human subject review preparation. The third phase will be to conduct data collection and data analyses of at least 100 subjects. The last phase is to prepare a final technical report. The entire scope of work and evaluation factors are addressed in the solicitation. Solicitation RQ99-019 will be issued unrestricted on or about April 19, 1999, and proposals will be due o/a May 12, 1999. Organizations interested in receiving a copy of the solicitation may submit a written request to: DHHS/PHS/CDC/NIOSH/ALOSH, ATTN: Brenda Goodwin, MS-L1019, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505. Only written requests for the solicitation will be honored. All responsible sources may submit an offer, which shall be considered by the Agency. Posted 04/02/99 (W-SN315740). (0092)

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