Garment assessment
Physiological and perceptual responses to different thermally stressful working environments have recently been assessed at the Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre at Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK. These responses were collected during a large comprehensive study that was successfully completed at the end of 2010. The study involved a large cohort of participants exercising at a moderate intensity in several different thermally stressful environments (30oC - 40oC) similar to those experienced by individuals working in conditions typical of industrial workers (both in factories and outside) where protective clothing would be worn. During each trial, several physiological responses such as heart rate, skin temperature, breathing frequency, sweat rate and core temperature were measured. Participant’s level of comfort was also assessed.
Large climatic chambers located in the Environmental Ergonomics Research Laboratory were used to simulate the different environmental conditions. Specially designed lamps that radiate heat equivalent to that produced by the sun were used to simulate the amount of solar radiation typically experienced by industrial workers who work outside.
Physiological and perceptual responses to several different types of protective clothing were also assessed in some of the working environments evaluated.
