N ERGONOMIC INVESTIGATION OF THE FIT OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO FEMALE ANTHROPOMETRY: A CASE STUDY ON SAFETY HELMETS

Öz

Personal protective equipment (PPE) has historically been developed on anthropometric datasets largely derived from the male body. This study examines the fit of current PPE to female anthropometry in terms of safety, comfort, mobility, accessibility and work performance. Using a design-oriented narrative review, 27 peer- reviewed publications were synthesised together with field reports from Birleşik Metal-İş, IWPR, TUC and “Equity in Safety”; research on firefighter turnout gear, body armour, respirators, protective gloves and safety helmets was compared. In order to make market conditions concrete, the study is deepened through a case study of ten industrial safety helmet models whose technical data are publicly available. The findings show that ill- fitting sizes may produce excess volume, interface gaps, helmet displacement, localised pressure, restricted movement, loss of respirator seal, and abandonment of the equipment. The case study reveals that most helmets examined begin at a 51–53 cm lower limit and provide no hair-volume adjustment independent of head circumference. The study argues that anthropometric fit is a primary design criterion governing the continuity of protective function rather than comfort, and proposes a ≤50 cm lower size limit, a 300–340 g weight band and an independent hair-volume/seating-depth adjustment for safety helmets.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Personal Protective Equipment
• Ergonomics
• Inclusive Design
• Female Anthropometry
• Safety Helmet Design
• Occupational Health and Safety.

KİŞİSEL KORUYUCU EKİPMANLARIN KADIN ANTROPOMETRİSİNE UYGUNLUĞUNUN ERGONOMİK AÇIDAN İNCELENMESİ: BARETLER ÜZERİNE BİR VAKA ÇALIŞMASI

Öz

Kişisel koruyucu ekipmanlar (KKE) tarihsel olarak büyük ölçüde erkek bedeninin ölçülerine dayanan antropometrik veri setleri üzerinden geliştirilmiştir. Bu çalışma, mevcut KKE’lerin kadın antropometrisine uygunluğunu güvenlik, konfor, hareket olanakları, ekipmana erişilebilirlik ve iş performansı açısından incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Tasarım odaklı anlatısal bir inceleme yöntemiyle 27 hakemli yayın ile Birleşik Metal-İş, IWPR, TUC ve “Equity in Safety” saha raporları sentezlenmiş; itfaiyeci koruyucu giysileri, vücut zırhları, respiratörler, koruyucu eldivenler ve baretler üzerine yürütülen araştırmalar karşılaştırılmıştır. Pazardaki mevcut durumu somutlaştırmak amacıyla çalışma, teknik verileri kamuya açık on endüstriyel baret modeli üzerinden yürütülen bir vaka çalışmasıyla derinleştirilmiştir. Bulgular, uygun olmayan beden ölçülerinin fazla hacim, ürün arayüzlerinde açıklık, barette kayma, bölgesel basınç, hareket kısıtı, respiratör sızdırmazlığında kayıp ve ekipmanı kullanmaktan vazgeçme gibi sonuçlar doğurabildiğini göstermektedir. Vaka çalışması, incelenen baretlerin büyük bölümünün 51–53 cm alt sınırdan başladığını ve saç hacmi için baş çevresinden bağımsız bir ayar sunmadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma, antropometrik uyumun konfordan önce koruyucu işlevin sürekliliğini belirleyen temel tasarım ölçütü olduğunu savunmakta ve baretler için ≤50 cm alt ölçü sınırı, 300–340 g ağırlık bandı ile bağımsız saç hacmi/oturma derinliği ayarı önermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kişisel Koruyucu Ekipman
• Ergonomi
• Kapsayıcı Tasarım
• Kadın Antropometrisi
• Baret Tasarımı
• İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği

Kaynakça

1. Andriani, M., Widyanti, A., Yassierli, Pramanda, R. ve Suheri, (2020). “An Anthropometric Study of Head for Designing Ergonomic Helmet for Acehnese Adults”, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 722, 012033.
2. Ball, R., Shu, C., Xi, P., Rioux, M., Luximon, Y. ve Molenbroek, J., (2010). “A Comparison Between Chinese and Caucasian Head Shapes”, Applied Ergonomics, 41 (6), 832-839.
3. Berkin, G. ve Güder, Ş.C., (2026). “3D Printers in Mold Production: A Case Study on Concrete Mold Prototype Production”, Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, 11 (1), 44-52.
4. Bhatia, D., Jaswal, P. ve Sinha, S.K., (2024). “Women’s Body Armor: A Comprehensive Review of Design, Performance, and Ergonomics”, Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 19, 1-18.
5. Birleşik Metal-İş, (2024). İşçi Sağlığı ve Güvenliğinde Erkek Egemen Standart: Kadın İşçiler Korumasız (910 İşçi Saha Araştırması), İstanbul: Birleşik Metal-İş Sendikası.
6. Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., McQuerry, M. ve Kwon, C., (2025). “A Comparative Anthropometric Analysis of U.S. Female Firefighters Versus the General Female Population”, Journal of Safety Research, 93, 206-213.
7. Brazile, W.J., Buchan, R.M., Sandfort, D.R. vd., (1998). “Respirator Fit and Facial Dimensions of Two Minority Groups”, Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 13 (4), 233-237.
8. Brisbine, B.R., Radcliffe, C.R., Jones, M.L.H., Stirling, L. ve Coltman, C.E., (2022). “Does the Fit of Personal Protective Equipment Affect Functional Performance? A Systematic Review”, PLOS ONE, 17 (11), e0278174.

9. Catapan, M.F., Okimoto, M.L.L.R. vd., (2015). “Anthropometric Analysis of Human Head for Designing Ballistic Helmets”, Procedia Manufacturing, 3, 5475-5481.
10. Chopra, J., Abiakam, N., Kim, H. vd., (2021). “The Influence of Gender and Ethnicity on Facemasks and Respiratory Protective Equipment Fit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”, BMJ Global Health, 6 (11), e005537.
11. Dianat, I., Haslegrave, C.M. ve Stedmon, A.W., (2012). “Methodology for Evaluating Gloves in Relation to Hand Performance Capabilities”, Ergonomics, 55 (11), 1429-1451.
12. EHSLeaders, (2025). Equity in Safety: A Global Report on Women’s Access to Proper PPE (#MyBodyMyPPE), The Safety Rack.
13. Ellena, T., Subic, A., Mustafa, H. ve Pang, T.Y., (2016). “The Helmet Fit Index: An Intelligent Tool for Fit Assessment”, Applied Ergonomics, 55, 194-207.
14. Güder, Ş.C., (2026). “Yapay Zeka Modellerinin Tasarım Nesnelerini Anlamlandırma Kapasitelerinin Karşılaştırmalı Analizi: Gemini ve Copilot Örneği”, The Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art and Communication (TOJDAC), 16 (3), 1492-1510.
15. Hasni, N.A.K., Ismail, R. vd., (2023). “The Effect of N95 Designs on Respirator Fit and Its Associations with Gender and Facial Dimensions”, PLOS ONE, 18 (11), e0288105.
16. Hobbs-Murphy, K., Brazile, W.J., Morris, K. ve Rosecrance, J., (2025). “Demographic Differences in Facial Anthropometric Data from 3D Scans and Implications for Respirator Fit”, Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 69 (4), 442-452.
17. Hsiao, H., (2024). “Association of Anthropometric Characteristics of Law Enforcement Officers with Perceived Ratings of Fit, Comfort, and Pain in Body Armor”, Ergonomics, 67 (4), 541-565.
18. Hudson, S., Ridland, L., Blackburn, J. vd., (2024). “The Comfort and Functional Performance of Personal Protective Equipment for Police Officers: A Systematic Scoping Review”, Ergonomics, 67 (10), 1317-1337.
19. Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), (2021). National Tradeswomen Survey: PPE Sizing and Availability Report, Washington DC: IWPR.
20. Jennings, T., Tillman, A., Mukasa, D. vd., (2025). “Measurement and Assessment of Head-to-Helmet Contact Forces”, Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 53, 946-955.
21. Liu, H., Li, Z. ve Zheng, L., (2008). “Rapid Preliminary Helmet Shell Design Based on 3D Anthropometric Head Data”, Journal of Engineering Design, 19 (1), 45-54.
22. Malbon, C., Knock, C., Critchley, R. ve Carr, D.J., (2020). “The Effect of Breast Size and Bra Type on Comfort for UK Female Police Officers Wearing Body Armour”, Applied Ergonomics, 84, 103012.
23. Malbon, C., Knock, C., Critchley, R. ve Carr, D.J., (2022). “The Effect of Underwired and Sports Bras on Breast Shape, Key Anthropometric Dimensions, and Body Armour Comfort”, The Police Journal, 95 (3), 436-458.
24. McQuerry, M., (2020). “Effect of Structural Turnout Suit Fit on Female Versus Male Firefighter Range of Motion”, Applied Ergonomics, 82, 102974.
25. McQuerry, M., Kwon, C. ve Poley-Bogan, M., (2023). “Female Firefighters’ Increased Risk of Occupational Exposure Due to Ill-Fitting Personal Protective Clothing”, Frontiers in Materials, 10, 1175559.
26. MSA Safety, (2025). V-Gard 930 Fas-Trac III Süspansiyon Sistemli Baret: Resmî Ürün Kataloğu ve Basın Materyali, Cranberry Township: MSA Safety Incorporated.
27. Mylon, P., Lewis, R., Carré, M.J. ve Martin, N., (2014). “A Critical Review of Glove and Hand Research with Regard to Medical Glove Design”, Ergonomics, 57 (1), 116-129.
28. Onyebeke, L.C., Papazaharias, D.M. vd., (2016). “Access to Properly Fitting Personal Protective Equipment for Female Construction Workers”, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 59 (11), 1032-1040.
29. Park, H., Park, J., Lin, S.-H. ve Boorady, L.M., (2014). “Assessment of Firefighters’ Needs for Personal Protective Equipment”, Fashion and Textiles, 1, 8.
30. Perret-Ellena, T., Skals, S.L. vd., (2015). “3D Anthropometric Investigation of Head and Face Characteristics of Australian Cyclists”, Procedia Engineering, 112, 98-103.
31. Qiu, Z., Bolaji, J., McQuerry, M. ve Kwon, C., (2025). “Anthropometric Evaluation of NFPA 1977 Sizing System for U.S. Female Wildland Firefighters”, Fire, 8 (7), 270.
32. Sokolowski, S.L., Griffin, L. vd., (2022). “Examination of Current U.S. Female Firefighting PPE Sizing and Fitting Process Challenges”, Fashion and Textiles, 9, 40.
33. Trades Union Congress (TUC), (2021). Gender PPE Gap Report: Access to Gender-Specific PPE in the UK, Londra: TUC.
34. U.S. Army, (2012). ANSUR II: Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel, NATICK/TR-15/007, Natick: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.
35. Vasavada, A.N., Danaraj, J. ve Siegmund, G.P., (2008). “Head and Neck Anthropometry, Vertebral Geometry and Neck Strength in Height-Matched Men and Women”, Journal of Biomechanics, 41 (1), 114-121.
36. Yu, M., Griffin, L., Durfee, W.K. ve Arnold, S., (2024). “Face Anthropometry for Filtering Facepiece Respirators”, Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 68 (3), 312-324.