The use of personal protective devices (ppd) is an important method to safeguard workers from occupational hazards both in industrialized and developing countries. Surveys have indicated that majority of those exposed to hazards are reluctant to use ppd because they are uncomfortable for such reasons as hotness, heaviness, ill fit, inconvenient, etc. Investigations have revealed that user-centered designs which satisfy the human factors needs of ppd, can reverse this trend and make ppd more acceptable. Because a questionnaire survey has shown that manufacturers are more inclined to adhere to standards, developing ergonomic standards seems to be a feasible method to persuade the manufacturers to provide the user needs in the design. Any unavoidable discomforts in ppd can be controlled by adaptation of users to ppd wearing.
Whether the two demands such as protection performance and human factors are satisfied in personal protective devices (ppd) can be tested using standardized methodology. The standard methods for performance testing are used for certification of ppd. But it is unfortunate that testing methods for human factors or wearability testing of ppd are scarce and even the methods that have been developed are not always refined nor standardized. Both in hot and in cold environments thermal comfort is an important user need of ppd. To test the thermal characteristics of ppd, methods providing objective data are available but they are not always standardized. However for insulation testing of clothing, standard methods have been developed. The fit of ppd is also a priority need among wearers. Fit of clothing is often tested subjectively. The objective methods developed to test the fit of ppd and clothing require refinement and standardization. It is urgently needed to develop and standardize both objective and subjective testing methods of wearability of ppd. This paper provides insights into some testing methods on human factors of ppd that have found particularly useful over the years.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.