2007, Piran, Slovenia

Environmental Ergonomics XII
Igor B. Mekjavic, Stelios N. Kounalakis & Nigel A.S. Taylor (Eds.), © BIOMED, Ljubljana 2007
Thermal and physical load: The study was conducted in a climatic chamber (40 o C, relative
humidity 30%, wind speed 02 m·s -1 ), while participants walked on a treadmill (3 km · h -1 ).
This exercise was continued until one of the following limits was reached: core temperature
of 38.0 o C, heart rate of 80% of the individual maximum heart rate, 100% relative humidity
measured at two places (under protective clothing), or subjective signs of fatigue.
Measurements: Core temperature in the external auditory canal (Tac), skin temperature at four
places [3], heart rate (HR) as well as the temperature and relative humidity under clothing at
four places (right chest, left shoulder, left arm, right thigh) were monitored every minute.
Mean weighted skin temperature (Tsk) was calculated according to EN ISO 9886:2004 [3].
Body and clothing weights were determined before and after exposure. Sweat loss was
calculated as a difference between body weight after and before the exposure. Subjective
ratings of climate [4], skin wetness [5] and perceived exertion were collected every 10
minutes.
RESULTS
Studies were conducted in April this year so the result are not yet available. The results will
be presented at the conference.
DISCUSSION
Conclusions from the study indicating which kind of modifications of the basic model of
protective clothing L2 was the most comfortable for users will be presented at the conference.
REFERENCES
[1] Holmer I., 1995. Protective clothing and heat stress. Ergonomics 38(1),166-182.
[2] Marszałek A., 2006. Physiological response during exercise in a hot environment in
chemical protective clothing. Proceedings of the 3rd European Conference on Protective
Clothing (ECPC) and NOKOBETEF 8, Gdynia, Poland, May 10-12.
[3] EN ISO 9886:2004 Ergonomics – Evaluation of thermal strain by physiological
measurements.
[4] EN ISO 10551:2001 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Assessment of the
influence of the thermal environment using subjective judgement scales.
[5] Nielsen R., Endrusick T.L. 1990. Sensations of temperature and humidity during
alternative work/rest and influence of underwear knit structure. Ergonomics 33(2), 221-
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