Personal protective clothing (PPC) enables people to work in hazardous environments, but PPC can have a detrimental effect on worker performance. Predicting garment effects on worker performance is difficult because quantitative relationships among garment properties and human responses are not known. Presents a systematic structure for studying the relationships among garment properties and their immediate effects on the worker. Using a survey of 118 studies, previous work was categorized according to garment parameters and dependent measures. Except for studies of heat stress, most of these studies compared competing garments or simply measured physiological response, rather than relating these effects to garment attributes. Such results are seldom transferable to other clothing systems or tasks. Proposes a conceptual model based on this systematic structure. Introduces garment impediment indices (GIIs) as response functions of garment attributes, and offers an approach for developing quantitative models of PPC effects on worker performance.
A convenience survey of 702 certified pesticide applicators was conducted in three states to assess the use of 16 types of engineering controls and 13 types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Results showed that 8 out of 16 engineering devices were adopted by more than 50% of the respondents. The type of crop, size of agricultural operation, and the type of pesticide application equipment were found to influence the adoption of engineering controls. Applicators working on large farms, users of boom and hydraulic sprayers, and growers of field crops were more likely to use engineering devices. Respondents reported a high level of PPE use, with chemical-resistant gloves showing the highest level of compliance. An increase in pesticide applicators wearing appropriate headgear was reported. The majority of respondents did not wear less PPE simply because they used engineering controls. Those who did modify their PPE choices when employing engineering controls used tractors with enclosed cabs and/or were vegetable growers.
The three-dimensional (3-D) body scanner is an imaging tool with advantages for functional apparel designers. Images of garments can help assess the function of apparel as it is worn, especially images of wearers in active positions. We evaluate 3-D body scanning as a visualization tool for designers by comparing 3-D images and printed images from a digital camera to assess benefits and limitations of 3-D images. We used images of hats worn by female golfers to assess their effectiveness for sun protection. Data were collected from six female golfers in three different stances. Multiple 2-D images (using a digital camera) and a 3-D body scan were made of each participant for comparison. As a baseline we first compared printouts from the digital camera images to printed two-dimensional (2-D) images made from the 3-D body scan data. We then compared the printouts from the digital camera to 3-D scan images as viewed and manipulated on the computer screen. Printouts from the digital camera provided better information than the 2-D printed images from the body scan data, as the printed scan images had missing areas, a comparatively lower resolution, and lacked color and texture information. However, viewing and manipulating 3-D scan images on the screen showed the relationship between the hat and the wearer clearly. The 3-D images viewed on the screen were ultimately more useful than images from the digital camera for judging the effectiveness of the hat designs.
This simulated field study investigated patterns of spray deposition on the clothing of lawn care applicators using a tank truck and handheld spray gun. The purpose was to provide a basis for designing a protective garment for lawn care specialists. The influence of flow rate and experience level of applicators on spray deposition was studied. FD&C Blue #1 dye was sprayed simultaneously by novice and experienced applicators in timed walks. There were four replications at full and at reduced flow rates. Spray garments were cut into 23 pieces representing body parts. Dye was recovered using four rinses of distilled water and analyzed by standard spectrophotometric techniques. Significantly more dye was deposited on the lower portion of the body, both front and back legs, than on other body parts. The amount on the lower legs accounted for 59% of the total, while hands accounted for 28%. There was a tendency for experienced applicators to have more dye on their clothing than the novice applicators. The amount of dye deposition did not differ significantly with flow rate. The findings provide a basis for designing clothing and developing recommendations to improve protection for lawn care specialists.
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