Affiliations: [a] Institute of Occupational Health, Safety and Ergonomics e.V. (ASER), Wuppertal, Germany | [b] Commission for Occupational Health and Safety and Standardization (KAN), Sankt Augustin, Germany
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Standardized test fingers are used for testing products
against mechanical and electrical hazards. The dimensions of the most common
test finger, mentioned in several standards, have remained unchanged for
many decades. In the meantime, the corresponding anthropometric dimensions
of the human being as well as the safety standard and safety awareness have
changed. OBJECTIVE: Starting from the dimensions of the most common test
finger for adult persons, length and diameter of the test finger were
analysed, whether they are still in accordance with the anthropometric
considerations and whether they represent a sufficient safety-level. METHODS: Current distributions of relevant body dimensions from
literature and own measurements were considered and compared with the
dimensions of the common test finger. RESULTS: The analysis of anthropometric data reflects that in the
past decades people are on average getting larger and wider. This refers to
the German and European population, but also to large other parts of the
world's population. CONCLUSIONS: The current diameter of the common test finger still
offers a high level of protection. However, the changes of the last decades,
both in what concerns the anthropometric measurements as well as the safety
standard and safety awareness, seems to require an adaptation of the length
of the test finger to ensure the same level of safety protection as the
chosen diameter.
