A study on the suitability of science laboratory furniture in Malaysian secondary school

Furniture has a significant effect on human health. Thus, it is essential to use anthropometric data to guide the design of school furniture as the interface of furniture and the user is perhaps the most critical factor for human comfort. School science laboratory furniture in Malaysia is typically not designed to accommodate the dimensions of the individual student. A one-size-fits-all philosophy has been adopted in the industry. This study examine possible mismatch between the individual body dimensions of students and the school science laboratory furniture they use. The objective is to determine whether this type of furniture is well-designed and promotes good sitting posture and also the suitability of the furniture with the task performed. It involves 120 students from multiple races with age range from 16 to 19 years and no physical disabilities. 7 dimension of the school science laboratory furniture and 7 parts of the body segment or anthropometric data for each of the student have been measured using standard anthropometer set and measurement tape in order to allow a comparison of the student ergonomic needs with the design features of the furniture. Data indicates a substantial degree of mismatch between the students’ bodily dimensions and the laboratory furniture available to them. Therefore, the identification of individual anthropometric requirements among school student of the same age could be a useful tool for the arrangement of the issue of school science laboratory furniture design and allocation