HUMAN FACTORS & ERGONMICS
body shapes and sizes. Great strides have been made recently in greater attention to detail in female fit and design modifications within PPE.
FLEXIBILITY Protective fabric technology has moved on considerably in recent years with increased focus on the flexibility of laminates to assist in the improvement of ergonomic comfort and fit. Hardshell rainwear solutions, whilst norm compliant and fit for purpose were found by end users to be bulky, heavy and restricted movement. Two years ago, Gore introduced arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD® stretch technology into the market which combined arc rated foul weather protection with a unique stretch attribute for electrical engineers. Incredibly light, the stretch fabric moves in four directions to achieve the exceptional freedom of movement required for working in confined spaces and unusual situations. The elasticity delivers optimum fit, expanding and contracting with any layers worn underneath which enhances breathability as sweat evaporates through the garment more efficiently when the fabric is closer to the skin.
BULK AND WEIGHT
In addition to fit and flexibility, a very significant aspect of comfortable PPE is weight. A worker could experience musculoskeletal strain and stress through wearing heavy weight PPE, which in turn increases energy expenditure. Impressive developments have been made recently in reducing the weight of garments designed for safety protection. Take, for example, textiles which are functional for Class 2 arc fault protection - these can be extremely heavy weighing up to 650 g/m2 and as a result the final weight of a jacket can be more than 2 kilograms. Gore assessed feedback from wearers who found this weight was impeding comfort and therefore efficiency. This led to research into how lighter fabrics can deliver high- quality protection and was a focus for the development of technical fabrics which are one or two layers rather than three layers or more. GORE-TEX PYRAD® technology is now able to make durable garments that are 50% lighter than previously available.
THERMAL COMFORT
For the human body to function properly, the temperature of our vital organs – namely the brain, heart, lungs and liver – must remain at approximately 37°C at all times. Comfort has both a physical and a psychological or emotional element and they all interact.
If a worker becomes too hot or cold, then our bodies react by either sweating or shivering. Normal bodily temperatures rise due to strenuous physical activity, psychological stress or as a result fluctuating weather throughout the year.
Excessive heat triggers perspiration which acts to cool the body. This works well if the sweat generated has somewhere to go. However, if it can’t evaporate due to the nature of the clothing, workers will become and remain hot and can feel uncomfortable. This may not only result in loss of concentration but can lead to heat stress, cognitive fatigue, confusion, dizziness and even unconsciousness in the most extreme cases. This is where technical fabrics come into play and why they are so vital because they enable garments to breathe and wick moisture away from the body.
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At the other end of the scale, being too cold leads to shivering, as this the human body’s way of warming up. The physical effects of being too cold are loss of attention and poor muscle performance, therefore protective clothing must provide adequate insulation, and may also need to be windproof and waterproof.
IN SUMMARY… Wise employers should procure the best PPE possible so that human safety and protection is never compromised. The fine balancing act of protection versus comfort no longer needs to be in tension. As well as complying with stringent safety standards, employers can now offer workers lighter, less restrictive and comfortable waterproof and breathable clothing. The implications and benefits are manifold.
Call: +44 777 400 5746 Email:
janderss@wlgore.com
www.goretexprofessional.com/uk
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