Naval Architectural Research for Women Aboard Ship.
Abstract
With the increased assignment of women aboard a wide range of Navy surface ships, attention has been focused upon the human engineering design standards for ship fittings and shipboard equipment. Current naval architectural design standards have been developed from male-based anthropometric measurements. These design standards have been established so as to accommodate the 5th to the 95th percentile male in the shipboard environment. The most current female anthropometric data available indicate that the 50th and 95th percentile female corresponds to the 5th and 50th percentile male. Therefore, a significant proportion of the women assigned aboard Navy ships may experience problems due to working in an environment sized for males. This report describes approaches taken to establish the extent of the problems female personnel have aboard ship. Initial emphasis focused on areas of potential hazard which may create unsafe operating conditions by jeopardizing the safety and well-being of either the female crew member of the vessel itself. Results to date have identified problem areas of shipfittings and ship systems equipment (damage control) which, when used by female and smaller male personnel, cause seriously degraded performance at critical periods. Factors which contribute to these difficulties include differences in grip strength, upper torso strength and reach envelope.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA099594
Entities
People
- M. D. Phillips
- R. L. Pepper