Anthropometric characterization of abattoir workers in Oyo state, southwestern Nigeria

The anthropometric of workers in abattoirs is crucial for understanding the physical demands and ergonomic requirements of their job. Abattoir workers are exposed to unique occupational hazards and physical stresses that can impact their health, safety, and productivity. Despite the significant of abattoir, there is a notable lack of anthropometric data on these workers, which hinders the design and implementation of tailored workplace interventions, personal protective equipment, and ergonomic tools that fit their unique physical characteristics. The aim of this research was to investigate anthropometric characteristics associated with Abattoir workers activities. A total of 480 participants (392 male and 88 female) were measured for key anthropometric dimensions such as stature, shoulder height, hand length, elbow height and several composite body segment dimensions were taken and statistically analyzed. Results showed that the mean stature was 1.691 m, with males averaging 1.697 m and females 1.664 m. Hand length was remarkably similar between sexes—0.82 m for males and 0.85 m for females—while foot length averaged 0.251 m for males and 0.246 m for females. Composite dimensions such as elbow height and wrist height showed minimal gender differences, with mean values of 1.090 m and 0.823 m in males, and 1.095 m and 0.827 m in females, respectively. Conclusively, this study established key anthropometric measurements of male and female abattoir workers in Oyo State, providing data essential for ergonomic workstation and tool design. The results highlight the need for locally relevant design standards to reduce injury risks and improve worker efficiency.