Establishing of reference values for heat strain and ergonomics of light weight explosive ordnance disposal suits
other
Light weight explosive ordnance disposal suits are being used by the deminers from the Dutch Defence Organisation. In the last organised call for tender for light weight explosive ordnance disposal suits for the Dutch Defence Organisation no suitable reference values for ergonomics and heat strain were available. The aim of this study was to determine ergonomic and heat strain tests to assess reference values based on the current light weight explosive ordnance disposal suits to serve as input for future tenders.
In this study three series of tests were performed. A standard ergonomic test battery was used in the first test. In the second test irrelevant items were removed from the test battery and new items were added. Also, in the second test, subjects were exposed to heat. In the final third test the ergonomic tests were established and the ambient conditions were set at 42°C and 30% RH. The performance of the subjects on these tests were taken as reference values for future light weight explosive ordnance disposal suits evaluations. The tests started with ergonomic tests and were performed by male students to measure the freedom of movement. Dutch deminers wear the light weight explosive ordnance suit for a maximum of 30 minutes, so after the ergonomic tests a 30 minute series of tests was performed in a warm climatic chamber to measure the heat strain. In the climatic chamber the work of the deminers was simulated. All tests were performed with the light weight explosive ordnance disposal suit and with the standard military suit. During the tests in the climatic
chamber heart rate, oxygen uptake, body core temperature and skin temperature were measured.
The light weight explosive ordnance disposal suits give movement restriction and the body stores significantly more heat when wearing the light weight explosive ordnance suit compared to the standard military suit.
With the results maximum movement restriction for the different ergonomic tests and maximum heat strain while working in a climate of 42°C and 30% RH was determined.
In this study three series of tests were performed. A standard ergonomic test battery was used in the first test. In the second test irrelevant items were removed from the test battery and new items were added. Also, in the second test, subjects were exposed to heat. In the final third test the ergonomic tests were established and the ambient conditions were set at 42°C and 30% RH. The performance of the subjects on these tests were taken as reference values for future light weight explosive ordnance disposal suits evaluations. The tests started with ergonomic tests and were performed by male students to measure the freedom of movement. Dutch deminers wear the light weight explosive ordnance suit for a maximum of 30 minutes, so after the ergonomic tests a 30 minute series of tests was performed in a warm climatic chamber to measure the heat strain. In the climatic chamber the work of the deminers was simulated. All tests were performed with the light weight explosive ordnance disposal suit and with the standard military suit. During the tests in the climatic
chamber heart rate, oxygen uptake, body core temperature and skin temperature were measured.
The light weight explosive ordnance disposal suits give movement restriction and the body stores significantly more heat when wearing the light weight explosive ordnance suit compared to the standard military suit.
With the results maximum movement restriction for the different ergonomic tests and maximum heat strain while working in a climate of 42°C and 30% RH was determined.
Topics
TNO Identifier
23091
Source title
In: Personal Armour Systems Symposium
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