Protective clothing and heat stress

The high level of protection required by protective clothing (PPC) severely impedes heat exchange by sweat evaporation. As a result work associated with wearing PPC, particularly in hot environments, implies considerable physiological strain and may render workers exhausted in a short time. Current methods of describing evaporative heat exchange with PPC are insufficient, will overestimate evaporative heat loss and should not be recommended. More reliable measures of the resistance to evaporative heat transfer by PPC should be developed and standardized. Direct measurements of evaporative resistance of PPC may be carried. However, a more promising method appears to be the definition of evaporative resistance on the basis of the i ^cl-index for the fabric layers. The i ^cl-mdex is a permeation efficiency ratio, which in combination with clothing insulation determines the evaporative heat transfer. Current methods should be further developed to account for effects of moisture condensation and microclimate ventilation.     

Transfer of radiative heat through clothing ensembles

A mathematical model was designed to calculate the temperature and dry heat transfer in the various layers of a clothing ensemble, and the total heat loss of a human who is irradiated for a certain fraction of his or her area. The clothing ensemble that is irradiated by an external heat source is considered to be composed of underclothing, trapped air, and outer fabric. The model was experimentally tested with heat balance methods, using subjects, varying the activity, wind, and radiation characteristics of the outer garment of two-layer ensembles. In two experiments the subjects could only give off dry heat because they were wrapped in plastic foil. The model appeared to be correct within about l°C (rms error) and l0Wm^?2 (rms error). In a third experiment, sweat evaporation was also taken into account, showing that the resulting physiological heat load of 10 to 30% of the intercepted additional radiation is compensated by additional sweating. The resulting heat strain was rather mild. It is concluded that the mathematical model is a valid tool for the investigation of heat transfer through two-layer ensembles in radiant environments.     

Subjective perceptions and ergonomics evaluation of a liquid cooled garment worn under protective ensemble during an intermittent treadmill exercise

While a personal protective equipment (PPE) ensemble effectively provides workers with protection from occupational hazards, working in a vapour-resistant ensemble increases the risk of heat illness/injuries and physiological burdens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body cooling via a liquid-cooled garment (LCG) underneath a PPE ensemble on perceived thermal strain, physiological responses and ergonomics during an intermittent treadmill exercise in warm environmental conditions. The results of the present study indicated that the concomitant wearing of LCG underneath the PPE ensemble significantly reduced subjective perception of heat and alleviated overall increase in body temperature and heart rate while no impact of wearing LCG on ergonomic features was found. The extension of the present findings to practical applications in occupational settings requires further research on a LCG system design and performance evaluations while the LCG is incorporated within the PPE ensemble.

Statement of Relevance: Implementation of a LCG underneath PPE for body cooling was investigated, focusing on its impact on individuals' perceived thermal strain, physiological responses and ergonomics. The findings of the present study indicated that body cooling via a wearable LCG underneath PPE significantly alleviated both perceived thermal and physiological strain in uncompensable heat stress condition.     

A review of: “Medical and Scientific Aspects of Cycling”, edited by E. R. BURKE and M. M. NEWSOM,Human Kinetic Publishers,Champaign, Illinois,USA (1988), $2800, ISBN 0 87322 126 5

A common metric of assessing the evaporative cooling potential of protective clothing is to assess the rate of diffusion of water vapour through the fabric. Another mechanism that supports evaporative cooling is convective transfer. Prototype porous coveralls were constructed to promote convective air flow with 0.0024 mm (0.06 inch) holes representing nominal openings of 0, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20% of the garment surface area (called P00, P01, P02, P05, P10 and P20). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of these porous coverall configurations to support evaporative cooling. The assessment measures were critical wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and apparent evaporative resistance via a progressive heat stress protocol. There was a progressive increase in critical WBGT with increases in convective permeability for P00, Saratoga? Hammer, P01, work clothes and P02. There was no further increase for P05, P10 and P20. A similar pattern was found for diffusive permeability, with the exception of Saratoga? Hammer, which suggested that the convective permeability could explain evaporative cooling better than diffusive permeability.

Statement of Relevance: Protective clothing often interferes with evaporative cooling and thus increases the level of heat stress. While increased diffusion of water vapour is associated with lower evaporative resistances, the convective movement of water vapour is a dominant mechanism and better explains the role of the clothing in heat stress.     

Heat stress in chemical protective clothing: porosity and vapour resistance

Heat strain in chemical protective clothing is an important factor in industrial and military practice. Various improvements to the clothing to alleviate strain while maintaining protection have been attempted. More recently, selectively permeable membranes have been introduced to improve protection, but questions are raised regarding their effect on heat strain. In this paper the use of selectively permeable membranes with low vapour resistance was compared to textile-based outer layers with similar ensemble vapour resistance. For textile-based outer layers, the effect of increasing air permeability was investigated. When comparing ensembles with a textile vs. a membrane outer layer that have similar heat and vapour resistances measured for the sum of fabric samples, a higher heat strain is observed in the membrane ensemble, as in actual wear, and the air permeability of the textile version improves ventilation and allows better cooling by sweat evaporation. For garments with identical thickness and static dry heat resistance, but differing levels of air permeability, a strong correlation of microclimate ventilation due to wind and movement with air permeability was observed. This was reflected in lower values of core and skin temperatures and heart rate for garments with higher air permeability. For heart rate and core temperature the two lowest and the two highest air permeabilities formed two distinct groups, but they did not differ within these groups. Based on protection requirements, it is concluded that air permeability increases can reduce heat strain levels allowing optimisation of chemical protective clothing. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: In this study on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protective clothing, heat strain is shown to be significantly higher with selectively permeable membranes compared to air permeable ensembles. Optimisation of CBRN personal protective equipment needs to balance sufficient protection with reduced heat strain. Using selectively permeable membranes may optimise protection but requires thorough consideration of the wearer's heat strain.     

Heat stress while wearing long pants or shorts under firefighting protective clothing

It was the purpose of this study to examine whether replacing long pants (P) with shorts (S) would reduce the heat stress of wearing firefighting protective clothing during exercise in a warm environment. Twenty-four Toronto Firefighters were allocated to one of four groups that performed heavy (H, 4.8 km x h(-1), 5% grade), moderate (M, 4.5 km x h(-1), 2.5% grade), light (L, 4.5 km x h(-1)) or very light (VL, 2.5 km x h(-1)) exercise while wearing their full protective ensemble and self-contained breathing apparatus. Participants performed a familiarization trial followed by two experimental trials at 35 degrees C and 50% relative humidity wearing either P or S under their protective overpants. Replacing P with S had no impact on the rectal temperature (Tre) or heart rate response during heavy or moderate exercise where exposure times were less than 1 h (40.8 +/- 5.8 and 53.5 +/- 9.2 min for H and M, respectively while wearing P, and 43.5 +/- 5.3 and 54.2 +/- 8.4 min, respectively while wearing S). In contrast, as exposure times were extended during lighter exercise Tre was reduced by as much as 0.4 degrees C after 80 min of exercise while wearing S. Exposure times were significantly increased from 65.8 +/- 9.6 and 83.5 +/- 11.6 min during L and VL, respectively while wearing P to 73.3 +/- 8.4 and 97.0 +/- 12.5 min, respectively while wearing S. It was concluded that replacing P with S under the firefighting protective clothing reduced the heat stress associated with wearing the protective ensemble and extended exposure times approximately 10 - 15% during light exercise. However, during heavier exercise where exposure times were less than 1 h replacing P with S was of little benefit.     

Effects of condensation in clothing on heat transfer

A condensation theory is presented that enables the calculation of the rate of vapour transfer with its associated effects on temperature and total heat transfer inside a clothing ensemble consisting of underclothing, enclosed air, and outer garment. The model is experimentally tested by three experiments; (1) impermeable garments worn by subjects with and without plastic wrap around the skin, blocking sweat evaporation underneath the clothing; (2) comparison of heat loss in impermeable and semi-permeable garments and the associated discomfort and strain; (3) subjects working in impermeable garments in cool and warm environments at two work rates, until tolerance. The measured heat exchange and temperatures are calculated with satisfying accuracy by the model (mean error = 11, SD = 10 Wm^?2 for heat flows and 0·3 and0·9°C for temperatures, respectively). A numerical analysis shows that for total heat loss the major determinants are vapour permeability of the outer garment, skin vapour concentration and air temperature. In the cold the condensation mechanism may completely compensate for the lack of permeability of the clothing as far as heat dissipation is concerned, but in the heat impermeable clothing is more stressful.     

Evaporative resistance and sustainable work under heat stress conditions for two cloth anticontamination ensembles

When a work scenario in protective clothing is a nominal two hours of work followed by a short break, the level of heat stress must be limited to conditions of thermal equilibrium. By comparing changes in maximum sustainable work rate in a fixed environment, differences due to different protective clothing ensembles can be determined. To illustrate this principle, two protective clothing ensembles were examined. The Basic Ensemble was a cotton blend coverall over gym shorts with hard hat, gloves and full face mask respirator. The Enhanced Ensemble added a light weight, surgical scrub suit under the coveralls, plus a hood worn under the hard hat. Five young, acclimated males were the test subjects. Environmental conditions were fixed at T_db=32°C and T_pwb=26°C. After a physiological steady state was established at a low rate of work, treadmill speed was increased by 0.04 m/s every 5 min. The trial continued until thermal equilibrium was clearly lost. A critical treadmill speed was noted at the point thermal equilibrium was lost for each ensemble and subject. The drop in treadmill speed from the basic to enhanced ensemble was 11%. Based on measured values of average skin temperature and metabolic rate at the critical work rate and estimated values of clothing insulation, the average evaporative resistances for the basic and enhanced ensembles were 0.018 and 0.026 kPa m²/W, respectively.

Relevance to industry

Protective clothing decisions are based on the need to reduce the risk of skin contact with chemical or physical hazards. Sometimes over-protection of the skin results in a hazard secondary to the skin, such as heat stress. With or without over-protection, protective clothing decisions may affect the level of heat stress and result in lower rates of sustainable work. This paper illustrates the affects of a relatively small change in protective clothing requirements on the ability to work in the heat.     

Design Methods for Nuclear Power Plant System Design

This paper examines the physiological response of a group of four volunteers working for 120?min in a warm environment, DB/WB 34/25-5°C, whilst wearing each of two clothing assemblies, KD and OG, with and without the UK NBC S6 respirator. The men were given 10 days training and heat acclimation prior to commencing the tests.

The clothing assembly OG produced a significantly higher level of heat stress when compared to the KD assembly. The stress of both assemblies was significantly raised by the inclusion of the mask. This was demonstrated by an increased sweat rata (KD only), increased rectal temperature, increased epigastric skin temperature, and an increased heart rate. Some of the increase in heart rate due to wearing the mask could not be attributed solely to changes in body temperature.

It is concluded that the protective face mask imposes a significant additional heat stress which increases with the level of the prevailing stress and would indicate a possible source of error in those calculations of heat stress which add the same constant for a clothing condition at all levels of stress.     

Reproducibility of body temperature response to standardized test conditions when assessing clothing

Abstract

The traditional use of core temperature to assess the thermal effects of clothing has recently been questioned. The purpose of this study was to assess the reproducibility of body temperature in five subjects (mean age, 226 ± 1-5 yrs) wearing either athletic clothing or a chemical protective overgarment while exercising at 20°C and at 40°C. The exercise was preceded by a 1 h adaptation period in a controlled environmental chamber. Results indicated that mean group change in rectal temperature (δT_r ) appeared to be reproducible for both garment ensembles at 20°C but not at 40°C. For mean change in oesophageal temperature ( δT_oes ) at 20°C, reproducibility was obtained for the overgarment but not for the athletic garment; at 40°C, mean δT_oes appeared to be reproducible with both garments. However, when individual responses were examined, there was little reproducibility for either δT_r or δT_oes . In addition, these measurements failed to show differences in the types of clothing worn. It was concluded that the use of core temperature to assess heat stress imposed by wearing clothing during exercise may lead to erroneous conclusions.     

Effect of posture positions on the evaporative resistance and thermal insulation of clothing

Evaporative resistance and thermal insulation of clothing are important parameters in the design and engineering of thermal environments and functional clothing. Past work on the measurement of evaporative resistance of clothing was, however, limited to the standing posture with or without body motion. Information on the evaporative resistance of clothing when the wearer is in a sedentary or supine posture and how it is related to that when the wearer is in a standing posture is lacking. This paper presents original data on the effect of postures on the evaporative resistance of clothing, thermal insulation and permeability index, based on the measurements under three postures, viz. standing, sedentary and supine, using the sweating fabric manikin-Walter. Regression models are also established to relate the evaporative resistance and thermal insulation of clothing under sedentary and supine postures to those under the standing posture. The study further shows that the apparent evaporated resistances of standing and sedentary postures measured in the non-isothermal condition are much lower than those in the isothermal condition. The apparent evaporative resistances measured using the mass loss method are generally lower than those measured using the heat loss method due to moisture absorption or condensation within clothing. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: The thermal insulation and evaporative resistance values of clothing ensembles under different postures are essential data for the ergonomics design of thermal environments (e.g. indoors or a vehicle's interior environment) and functional clothing. They are also necessary for the prediction of thermal comfort or duration of exposure in different environmental conditions.     

Localised boundary air layer and clothing evaporative resistances for individual body segments

Evaporative resistance is an important parameter to characterise clothing thermal comfort. However, previous work has focused mainly on either total static or dynamic evaporative resistance. There is a lack of investigation of localised clothing evaporative resistance. The objective of this study was to study localised evaporative resistance using sweating thermal manikins. The individual and interaction effects of air and body movements on localised resultant evaporative resistance were examined in a strict protocol. The boundary air layer's localised evaporative resistance was investigated on nude sweating manikins at three different air velocity levels (0.18, 0.48 and 0.78 m/s) and three different walking speeds (0, 0.96 and 1.17 m/s). Similarly, localised clothing evaporative resistance was measured on sweating manikins at three different air velocities (0.13, 0.48 and 0.70 m/s) and three walking speeds (0, 0.96 and 1.17 m/s). Results showed that the wind speed has distinct effects on local body segments. In contrast, walking speed brought much more effect on the limbs, such as thigh and forearm, than on body torso, such as back and waist. In addition, the combined effect of body and air movement on localised evaporative resistance demonstrated that the walking effect has more influence on the extremities than on the torso. Therefore, localised evaporative resistance values should be provided when reporting test results in order to clearly describe clothing local moisture transfer characteristics. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY: Localised boundary air layer and clothing evaporative resistances are essential data for clothing design and assessment of thermal comfort. A comprehensive understanding of the effects of air and body movement on localised evaporative resistance is also necessary by both textile and apparel researchers and industry.     

Ergonomics International

It was the purpose of this study to examine whether replacing long pants (P) with shorts (S) would reduce the heat stress of wearing firefighting protective clothing during exercise in a warm environment. Twenty-four Toronto Firefighters were allocated to one of four groups that performed heavy (H, 4.8?km·h^?1, 5% grade), moderate (M, 4.5?km·h^?1, 2.5% grade), light (L, 4.5?km·h^?1) or very light (VL, 2.5?km·h^?1) exercise while wearing their full protective ensemble and self-contained breathing apparatus. Participants performed a familiarization trial followed by two experimental trials at 35°C and 50% relative humidity wearing either P or S under their protective overpants. Replacing P with S had no impact on the rectal temperature (T_re) or heart rate response during heavy or moderate exercise where exposure times were less than 1?h (40.8?±?5.8 and 53.5?±?9.2?min for H and M, respectively while wearing P, and 43.5?±?5.3 and 54.2?±?8.4?min, respectively while wearing S). In contrast, as exposure times were extended during lighter exercise T_re was reduced by as much as 0.4°C after 80?min of exercise while wearing S. Exposure times were significantly increased from 65.8?±?9.6 and 83.5?±?11.6?min during?L and VL, respectively while wearing P to 73.3?±?8.4 and 97.0?±?12.5?min, respectively while wearing S. It was concluded that replacing P with S under the firefighting protective clothing reduced the heat stress associated with wearing the protective ensemble and extended exposure times approximately 10?–?15% during light exercise. However, during heavier exercise where exposure times were less than 1?h replacing P with S was of little benefit.     

Intermittent microclimate cooling during exercise-heat stress in US army chemical protective clothing

The effectiveness of intermittent, microclimate cooling for men who worked in US Army chemical protective clothing (modified mission-oriented protective posture level 3; MOPP 3) was examined. The hypothesis was that intermittent cooling on a 2 min on-off schedule using a liquid cooling garment (LCG) covering 72% of the body surface area would reduce heat strain comparably to constant cooling. Four male subjects completed three experiments at 30 degrees C, 30% relative humidity wearing the LCG under the MOPP 3 during 80 min of treadmill walking at 224 +/- 5 W . m(-2). Water temperature to the LCG was held constant at 21 degrees C. The experiments were; 1) constant cooling (CC); 2) intermittent cooling at 2-min intervals (IC); 3) no cooling (NC). Core temperature increased (1.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C) in NC, which was greater than IC (0.5 +/- 0.2 degrees C) and CC (0.5 +/- 0.3 degrees C) ( p < 0.05). Mean skin temperature was higher during NC (36.1 +/- 0.4 degrees C) than IC (33.7 +/- 0.6 degrees C) and CC (32.6 +/- 0.6 degrees C) and mean skin temperature was higher during IC than CC ( p < 0.05). Mean heart rate during NC (139 +/- 9 b . min(-1)) was greater than IC (110 +/- 10 b . min(-1)) and CC (107 +/- 9 b . min(-1)) ( p < 0.05). Cooling by conduction (K) during NC (94 +/- 4 W . m(-2)) was lower than IC (142 +/- 7 W . m(-2)) and CC (146 +/- 4 W . m(-2)) ( p < 0.05). These findings suggest that IC provided a favourable skin to LCG gradient for heat dissipation by conduction and reduced heat strain comparable to CC during exercise-heat stress in chemical protective clothing.     

Measurement of the clothing ventilation index

In order to achieve thermal comfort while wearing protective clothing, heat loss from the body by convection and by the evaporation of sweat must be readily controlled by the wearer's thermoregulatory system. This can only be achieved if air is flowing through the clothing micro-environment in sufficient quantity to remove sensible and insensible heat as required. The volume flow of air through the clothing assembly is therefore an important determinant of thermal comfort.

This paper describes a new procedure for estimating under working conditions, the volume of air flowing through the micro-environment. The method is based on two techniques: the first gives a measure of the volume of the micro-environment; the other uses a trace gas to measure the rate of air exchange. Algebraic combination of the results enables the air exchange characteristics of a garment to be described in terms of a Ventilation Index. It is proposed that this index be used to describe the performance of protective clothing assemblies.     

A review of heat transfer phenomena and the impact of moisture on firefighters' clothing and protection

Protective clothing with high insulation properties helps to keep the wearer safe from flames and other types of hazards. Such protection presents some drawbacks since it hinders movement and decreases comfort, in particular due to heat stress. In fact, sweating causes the accumulation of moisture which directly influences firefighters' performance, decreasing protection due to the increase in radiant heat flux. Vaporisation and condensation of hot moisture also induces skin burn. To evaluate the heat protection of protective clothing, Henrique's equation is used to predict the time leading to second-degree burn. The influence of moisture on protection is complex, i.e. at low radiant heat flux, an increase in moisture content increases protection, and also changes thermal properties. Better understanding of heat and mass transfer in protective clothing is required to develop enhanced protection and to prevent burn injuries.

Practitioner Summary: This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of heat and mass transfer inside firefighters' protective clothing to enhance safety. The focus is on the influence of moisture content and the prevention of steam burn.     

Effects of wearing aircrew protective clothing on physiological and cognitive responses under various ambient conditions

Heat stress can be a significant problem for pilots wearing protective clothing during flights, because they provide extra insulation which prevents evaporative heat loss. Heat stress can influence human cognitive activity, which might be critical in the flying situation, requiring efficient and error-free performance. This study investigated the effect of wearing protective clothing under various ambient conditions on physiological and cognitive performance. On several occasions, eight subjects were exposed for 3 h to three different environmental conditions; 0 degrees C at 80% RH, 23 degrees C at 63% RH and 40 degrees C at 19% RH. The subjects were equipped with thermistors, dressed as they normally do for flights (including helmet, two layers of underwear and an uninsulated survival suit). During three separate exposures the subjects carried out two cognitive performance tests (Vigilance test and DG test). Performance was scored as correct, incorrect, missed reaction and reaction time. Skin temperature, deep body temperature, heart rate, oxygen consumption, temperature and humidity inside the clothing, sweat loss, subjective sensation of temperature and thermal comfort were measured. Rises in rectal temperature, skin temperature, heart rate and body water loss indicated a high level of heat stress in the 40 degrees C ambient temperature condition in comparison with 0 degrees C and 23 degrees C. Performance of the DG test was unaffected by ambient temperature. However, the number of incorrect reactions in the Vigilance test was significantly higher at 40 degrees C than at 23 degrees C (p = 0.006) or 0 degrees C (p = 0.03). The effect on Vigilance performance correlated with changes in deep-body temperature, and this is in accordance with earlier studies that have demonstrated that cognitive performance is virtually unaffected unless environmental conditions are sufficient to change deep body temperature.     

A test battery related to ergonomics of protective clothing

Specialised protective clothing, such as that worn by firefighters, is usually tested only to standards which give requirements for the materials used (e.g. EN469). However, this testing often neglects the effect the manufacturing process of the garment has on the material properties, the effects of clothing design, sizing and fit, as well as the interaction of the clothing with other components of the standard gear for the profession. Such effects can only be tested by looking at the protective gear as a whole. This paper deals with methods to do additional testing on protective garments with firefighter clothing as example. In other words, methods which go beyond EN469. Human subject tests for physiological load, heat protection, ergonomic design, loss of performance, rain/moisture protection and conspicuity/visibility of the clothing are described and proposed for evaluation of protective clothing in general and for further development of standards on firefighters' clothing.     

Cardiovascular and thermal consequences of protective clothing: a comparison of clothed and unclothed states

We have undertaken a laboratory-based examination of the cardiovascular and thermal impact of wearing thermal (heat) protective clothing during fatiguing exercise in the heat. Seven males completed semi-recumbent, intermittent cycling (39.6 degrees C, 45% relative humidity) wearing either protective clothing or shorts (control). Mean core and skin temperatures, cardiac frequency (f(c)), stroke volume (Q), cardiac output (Q), arterial pressure, forearm blood flow (Q(f)), plasma volume change, and sweat rates were measured. In the clothed trials, subjects experienced significantly shorter times to fatigue (52.5 vs. 58.9 min), at lower peak work rates (204.3 vs. 277.4 W), and with higher core (37.9 degrees vs. 37.5 degrees C) and mean skin temperatures (37.3 degrees vs. 36.9 degrees C). There was a significant interaction between time and clothing on f(c), such that, over time, the clothing effect became more powerful. Clothing had a significant main affect on Q, but not Q, indicating the higher Q was chronotropically driven. Despite a greater sweat loss when clothed (923.0 vs. 547.1 g.m(-2) x h(-1); P<0.05), Q(f) and plasma volume change remained equivalent. Protective clothing reduced exercise tolerance, but did not affect overall cardiovascular function, at the point of volitional fatigue. It was concluded that, during moderately heavy, semi-recumbent exercise under hot, dry conditions, the strain on the unclothed body was already high, such that the additional stress imparted by the clothing ensemble represented a negligible, further impact upon cardiovascular stability.     

Heat stress and bulkiness of chemical protective clothing impair performance of medical personnel in basic lifesaving tasks

The study examined the impact of chemical protective (CP) clothing on the performance of lifesaving tasks in thermoneutral and cold conditions. Eleven males performed pre-exercise followed by lifesaving tasks wearing either field combat uniform at 21 degrees C (U) or CP clothing at 21 degrees C (CPN) and -5 degrees C (CPC). The tasks were ventilating a doll (VA) and connecting an intravenous line (IV). Mean skin temperature was significantly higher for CPN compared to U and CPC during pre-exercise, VA and IV. Changes in blood pressure were significantly greater with CP clothing than without during VA and IV. The number of breaths per min (in VA) and time needed for IV increased by 19% (p < 0.05) and 18%, respectively, for CPN compared to U. Due to the cold, the additional increment was 5% and 17%, respectively, for CPC. Wearing of CP clothing in thermoneutral or in cold conditions may not prevent but, especially in the cold, significantly impede the performance of basic medical tasks. The findings of this study showed that performing medical tasks while wearing nuclear, biological and chemical protective clothing is impaired due to significant changes in physiological strain. This suggests that realistic training in local conditions as well as in cold conditions is needed to realise the restrictions due to protective clothing.