The objective of the work was the preliminary experimental investigation of cut-resistant materials including a biomimetic perspective. The effects of the cutting were expressed as static and dynamic cut resistance of the following materials: knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, continuously coated knitted fabrics, and dot-coated knitted fabrics. The cutting process gives rise to frictional forces, but the current test methods for cut-resistant gloves are not designed to measure them. Therefore additionally, the cut resistance of the material was evaluated using a modified procedure based on the standard EN 1082-1, taking into consideration grip strength tests to assess if there is a potential correlation between cut resistance and anti-slip properties.
The objective of this work was to examine the mechanical strength properties of polycarbonate toecaps designed for commercially available protective footwear, subjected to repeated impacts simulating workplace conditions. The effects of impacts on the toecaps were expressed as the height of toecap clearance, which has a direct bearing on the safe use of protective footwear. Changes in toecap geometry were evaluated using an originally developed methodology taking into consideration the requirements of Standard No. EN ISO 22568-2:2019. Additionally, external and internal sides of toecaps were scanned in three dimensions after each impact and reverse engineering was used to analyze deformations in toecap geometry by comparing the shape of the toecaps before and after impact. Three-dimensional scanning made it possible to measure the remaining safe distance for toes between the footwear sole and the impacted toecap surface, which is an indicator of the protective properties and safety of toecaps during use.
Heated gloves have been gaining popularity due to increasing work safety demands. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of the presence of chemical hand warmers in protective gloves. The study involved three types of gloves appropriate for work activities performed in cold environments. Several hand warmer variants were designed, differing in terms of shape and location within the glove, which are of great relevance to the comfort of use. Manual dexterity tests were designed to approximate real conditions of the work environment, allow for simulation of occupational activities, and involve various aspects of manipulation.
The main objective of the study was to evaluate two fit testing methods for protective gloves using anthropometric measurements. The gloves differed in terms of textile materials (woven fabric without elastomeric fibres and knitted fabric with elastomeric fibres), with and without size allowances, respectively. The evaluation method proposed may supplement the standard glove fitting procedure given in Standard EN 420:2003+A1:2009. The standard specifies only a method for measuring hand circumference and length, while the Authors used an original approach to measure the length and width for the purposes of glove fitting. The objective of the case study was to determine the optimum size difference between the protective glove and the user’s hand. The methodology developed shows how to evaluate gloves made of woven or knitted fabrics with or without elastomeric fibres in the context of glove fitting, which has direct implications for user comfort and the safety of manual work.
The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of different types of particles added to a polymer paste applied onto a textile carrier on the cut resistance of the resulting material. Knitted aramid textile samples were coated in laboratory conditions using a polymer paste that was functionalized with 12 types of reinforcing particles of different chemical compositions and size fractions. Cut resistance was tested in accordance with the standard EN ISO 13997:1999 and the results were subjected to statistical analysis. The effects of additive particles on the microstructure of the polymeric layer were assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy. The type and size of the particles affected the cut resistance of the functionalized knitted fabric. They were also found to change the morphology of the porous structure. Composite coatings containing the smallest additive particles exhibited the best cut resistance properties.
Streszczenie: Oceniano uszkodzenia polimerowych podnosków stosowanych najczęściej w obuwiu ochronnym, dostępnym w handlu. Badania laboratoryjne obejmowały wytrzymałość na obciążenie ściskające standardowe i niestandardowe występujące w rzeczywistych warunkach pracy. Z wykorzystaniem analizy mikroskopowej oceniano strukturę materiałów podnosków poddanych testom odporności na ściskanie. Wyniki badań wskazują, że polimerowe podnoski nie ulegają uszkodzeniom pod wpływem zarówno standardowego (10, 15 kN), jak i niestandardowego (20 kN) obciążenia ściskającego. Słowa kluczowe: polimerowe podnoski, obuwie ochronne, wytrzymałość na ściskanie.
A key property in the manufacture of toecaps for protective footwear is resistance to impacts, deformations, and cracking, as the resulting defects may lead to serious workplace accidents involving the lower extremities. The present paper proposes a new approach to qualitative verification of toecap design based on numerical simulations of impact tests. Computational experiments were conducted for toecaps made from different materials (AISI 10450, S235, S355 and A36 steels, as well as Lexan polycarbonate) and characterized by different geometries, which were recreated by 3D scanning. The impact resistance of the toecaps was analyzed using a numerical model simulating an experimental impact test. The results were used to determine the location of critical stresses and to plot equivalent stress maps for the studied toecaps. The finite element analysis of the impact tests was carried out with an explicit elastoplastic finite element code: ANSYS (Ansys, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA) with the Explicit Dynamics module of the Workbench solver. The presented analysis of the impact resistance of toecaps by the finite element method for impact simulation may be used to optimize the spatial geometry of toecaps and to verify the construction of toecaps and the material deformations that may occur. In addition, it could eliminate unsuitable materials that are likely to undergo dangerous deformations, and draw attention to the deformation caused by the impact of the toecaps used in footwear in the working environment.
This study presents the results of an end-of-service life survey involving workers operating in cold environments. The objective of this study was to determine whether the gloves worn in such workplaces were replaced when they exhibited clear signs of mechanical deterioration (rupture, tear, puncture, and perforation) or when they were soaked (externally) or moist (internally). The study sets out to establish whether the appearance of visible signs of damage prompted immediate glove replacement with a view to occupational safety. The calculated Cramér’s V values revealed weak associations between the cause of glove replacement and the frequency of glove change (V=0.201) as well as the mean duration of glove use (V=0.234). Furthermore, it was found that visible signs of mechanical deterioration did not prompt glove replacement. Indeed, workers continued to wear damaged or wet gloves for as many as 5 days or more.
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.
hi@scite.ai
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.