Three-dimensional head and face dimensions of Chilean versus US CAESAR 3D data: Differences and implications for personal protective equipment design.

Background: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is crucial for minimizing workplace hazards, and its effectiveness relies on adapting to diverse anthropometric features.

Objective: To establish the first 3D anthropometry database of Chilean workers.Also, this study compares 18 dimensions with the North American CAESAR three-dimensional anthropometrical scan database.

Methods: The research utilized three-dimensional data collected from 348 Chilean individuals, ages ranging between 19 and 68 years old. Measurements were captured with a 3D face scanner (3dMD) following ISO/TS 16976-2 and ISO 15535 guidelines to maintain rigorous standards.

Results: Noticeable sexual dimorphism: Chilean males exhibit larger facial dimensions than females, such as Nose breadth and Face length, which emphasize the need for gender-specific PPE designs. Furthermore, comparisons with the CAESAR dataset revealed significant disparities among Chilean and other populations, emphasizing the importance of ethnic tailoring PPE. The implications for respiratory PPE design are substantial; variations in dimensions like Face length and Face width highlight the need for adjustable or size-specific respirators.

Conclusions: The study underlines the importance of considering not only gender-specific differences but also ethnic variations in PPE design. The findings emphasize the critical role of anthropometric data in developing tailored respiratory protection devices, ensuring effective workplace safety across diverse populations. The study recommends further research to validate the findings in other populations and to advocate for inclusive design practices in occupational safety.