Real-time personal protective equipment monitoring system

The use of personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the construction industry is necessary to guarantee the safety of the workers. However, this equipment is not usually worn properly. Nowadays, the only control performed over the use of PPEs consists of a visual inspection. This paper introduces a novel cyber-physical system (CPS) to check in real time how the PPEs are worn by the workers. In order to perform such a control, an architecture composed of a wireless local area network and a body area network is considered. A system prototype was developed by using Zigbee and RFID technologies that support the deployment of both kinds of networks. The worker carries a microcontroller-based device that detects the presence of the PPEs and sends a report to a central unit where alerts and historical data are generated. This paper is basically aimed at introducing the monitoring system, describing its hardware and software components, and analyzing the coverage and consumption of the worker’s device.     

Metabolic demands of law enforcement personal protective equipment during exercise tasks

Many occupations require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) but the added metabolic demands are unknown for certain professions. The purpose of this study was to quantify metabolic and perceptual differences between activity with and without the PPE ensemble required for police officers. Twelve participants were asked to complete experimental and control exercise sessions consisting of three modes of exercise (walking, jogging and stepping). A significant main effect (p < 0.01) for gear was found for heart rate (beats per minute) and VO₂ (L/min) between conditions. Dependent t-tests revealed significant differences for perceived effort, discomfort and session rating of perceived exertion between trials. Medium to large effect sizes for all variables with significant main effects between modes (p < 0.01, η² = 0.51–0.96, 1–β = 0.98–1.0, d = 0.42–2.7) were observed. These findings help to increase awareness of how PPE affects metabolic demands and perception of discomfort during exercise.     

The effect of firefighter personal protective equipment on static and dynamic balance

Abstract

Firefighters work in unpredictable conditions, necessitating the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, the additional weight from the PPE and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) alters their centre of mass (COM), restricts movement and limits vision (face mask) contributing to a firefighters’ challenge of maintaining balance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of firefighter PPE on static and dynamic balance. Participants performed two sets of three functional balance tests: (1) Static Single Leg (SSL); (2) Dynamic Single Leg (DSL); (3) Limits of Stability (LOS). The balance tests were performed under one control and three randomised PPE conditions: (1) athletic clothing; (2) turnouts; (3) turnouts?+?SCBA; (4) turnouts?+?SCBA?+?face mask. Our study found turnouts?+?SCBA both with and without the face mask negatively affected dynamic balance. These findings identify factors in fall-related injuries and strategies to reduce occupational risk.

Practitioner summary: Slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of injury in firefighters. Our study investigated the effects of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) on static and dynamic balance utilising a computerised balance instrument. We found that turnouts with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with or without face mask negatively affected balance.     

Effect of base layer materials on physiological and perceptual responses to exercise in personal protective equipment

Ten men (non-firefighters) completed a 110 min walking/recovery protocol (three 20-min exercise bouts, with recovery periods of 10, 20, and 20 min following successive bouts) in a thermoneutral laboratory while wearing firefighting personal protective equipment over one of four base layers: cotton, modacrylic, wool, and phase change material. There were no significant differences in changes in heart rate, core temperature, rating of perceived exertion, thermal discomfort, and thermal strain among base layers. Sticking to skin, coolness/hotness, and clothing humidity sensation were more favorable (p < 0.05) for wool compared with cotton; no significant differences were identified for the other 7 clothing sensations assessed. Separate materials performance testing of the individual base layers and firefighting ensembles (base layer + turnout gear) indicated differences in thermal protective performance and total heat loss among the base layers and among ensembles; however, differences in heat dissipation did not correspond with physiological responses during exercise or recovery.     

Component contribution of personal protective equipment to the alleviation of physiological strain in firefighters during work and recovery

The purpose of this study was to investigate the components contributions of personal protective equipment on physiological strain in firefighters during exercise and recovery. Eight firefighters participated in trials in which various combinations of personal protective equipment components weighing from 1.3 to 15.1 kg were worn. The results showed that rectal temperature, changes in rectal temperature, mean skin temperature, heart rate, oxygen consumption and blood lactate concentration were smaller in conditions without boots (no-boots) than in other conditions with no helmet, gloves or self-contained breathing apparatus (P < 0.05). Increases in rectal temperature per unit mass of personal protective equipment were approximately twice as small in no-boots condition as the other conditions. These results suggest that the reduction of the boots' mass might be more efficient to alleviate heat strain of firefighters wearing personal protective equipment, rather than the reduction of the mass of self-contained breathing apparatus, helmet or gloves.     

Real-time core body temperature estimation from heart rate for first responders wearing different levels of personal protective equipment

First responders often wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for protection from on-the-job hazards. While PPE ensembles offer individuals protection, they limit one's ability to thermoregulate, and can place the wearer in danger of heat exhaustion and higher cardiac stress. Automatically monitoring thermal–work strain is one means to manage these risks, but measuring core body temperature (T_c) has proved problematic. An algorithm that estimates T_c from sequential measures of heart rate (HR) was compared to the observed T_c from 27 US soldiers participating in three different chemical/biological training events (45–90 min duration) while wearing PPE. Hotter participants (higher T_c) averaged (HRs) of 140 bpm and reached T_c around 39°C. Overall the algorithm had a small bias (0.02°C) and root mean square error (0.21°C). Limits of agreement (LoA ± 0.48°C) were similar to comparisons of T_c measured by oesophageal and rectal probes. The algorithm shows promise for use in real-time monitoring of encapsulated first responders.     

Measuring the risk of sustaining injury in sport a novel approach to aid the re-design of personal protective equipment

Despite the possibilities offered by new approaches in design and advances in materials and manufacturing methods, few items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in sport have seen significant change for many decades. A major reason for this is the tradition and conservative attitudes associated with many sports, although the absence of appropriate tools and techniques to assist the design and development process has also played a large part. The aim of this study was to develop the first stage of a method of identifying specific regions of the human anatomy that are at the greatest risk of sustaining injury during participation in sports in which the player is subjected to multiple ballistic impacts. It is proposed that the findings could be used to confirm future designs of sports PPE. Previous studies have identified the amount and the location of the protection provided by current commercially available products but, until now, no evidence has been reported to determine what protection is required based on an understanding of the likely impact and the anatomy of the athlete.     

Comparison of firefighters and non-firefighters and the test methods used regarding the effects of personal protective equipment on individual mobility

The aims of this study were 1) to evaluate the current pilot test method and ascertain reliable measurements for a standard test method of mobility with personal protective equipment (PPE), such as physical performance and balance ability tests; 2) to compare two participant groups (firefighters versus non-firefighters) and to investigate whether non-firefighters are appropriate as a standard participant group in the field of PPE or not. Totally, 18 participants (nine professional firefighters and nine untrained males) performed the current pilot test method consisting of a balance test, completed prior to and after a performance test. Significant differences were found between PPE conditions and CON (the control clothing ensemble: T-shirt, shorts, and running shoes) for the functional balance test, physical performance test, heart rate, and subjective evaluations in firefighters group. Therefore, the present pilot test method is valid as a standard test method for assessing mobility while wearing PPE. Moreover, the present result shows that firefighters are more reliable than non-firefighters in testing of PPE with current test methods.     

Effect of personal protective eyewear on postural stability

Vision is a significant factor in postural stability; this study is the first to report on the effect of OSHA regulated personal protective eyewear on physiological factors associated with postural stability. Twenty college students between the ages of 19 and 25 were randomly tested in each of three eyewear conditions (control, new, and artificially aged) using a NeuroCom Balance Master System and the mCTSIB protocol. Subjects were pre-tested with no eyewear (control) on each day followed by a 5-min assembly task with random eyewear assignment. Subjects were then post-tested following the same protocol while wearing the eyewear. Data were evaluated using a two (pre/post) x three (eyewear) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was a significant main effect for both the eyes open/firm flat surface, and eyes open/foam flat surface conditions (p 相似文献   

Effect of personal protective eyewear on postural stability

Vision is a significant factor in postural stability; this study is the first to report on the effect of OSHA regulated personal protective eyewear on physiological factors associated with postural stability. Twenty college students between the ages of 19 and 25 were randomly tested in each of three eyewear conditions (control, new, and artificially aged) using a NeuroCom^® Balance Master System and the mCTSIB protocol. Subjects were pre-tested with no eyewear (control) on each day followed by a 5-min assembly task with random eyewear assignment. Subjects were then post-tested following the same protocol while wearing the eyewear. Data were evaluated using a two (pre/post)?×?three (eyewear) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was a significant main effect for both the eyes open/firm flat surface, and eyes open/foam flat surface conditions (p???.05). These findings suggest that while personal protective eyewear may serve to protect an individual from eye injury, an individual's use of such personal protective eyewear may have deleterious effects on sensory input from the visual system and compensatory strategies to maintaining or regaining postural stability. Individuals who employ protective eyewear on a daily basis need to be aware of the effect of altered visual input resulting from eyewear on their postural stability, especially during sensory-challenging tasks, such as navigating ladders, scaffolding and elevated surfaces, typically found in construction environments.     

Information processing capacity while wearing personal protective eyewear

It is difficult to overemphasize the function vision plays in information processing, specifically in maintaining postural control. Vision appears to be an immediate, effortless event; suggesting that eyes need only to be open to employ the visual information provided by the environment. This study is focused on investigating the effect of Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulated personal protective eyewear (29 CFR 1910.133) on physiological and cognitive factors associated with information processing capabilities. Twenty-one college students between the ages of 19 and 25 years were randomly tested in each of three eyewear conditions (control, new and artificially aged) on an inclined and horizontal support surface for auditory and visual stimulus reaction time. Data collection trials consisted of 50 randomly selected (25 auditory, 25 visual) stimuli over a 10-min surface-eyewear condition trial. Auditory stimulus reaction time was significantly affected by the surface by eyewear interaction (F_2,40 = 7.4; p < 0.05). Similarly, analysis revealed a significant surface by eyewear interaction in reaction time following the visual stimulus (F_2,40 = 21.7; p < 0.05). The current findings do not trivialize the importance of personal protective eyewear usage in an occupational setting; rather, they suggest the value of future research focused on the effect that personal protective eyewear has on the physiological, cognitive and biomechanical contributions to postural control. These findings suggest that while personal protective eyewear may serve to protect an individual from eye injury, an individual's use of such personal protective eyewear may have deleterious effects on sensory information associated with information processing and postural control.     

Information processing capacity while wearing personal protective eyewear

It is difficult to overemphasize the function vision plays in information processing, specifically in maintaining postural control. Vision appears to be an immediate, effortless event; suggesting that eyes need only to be open to employ the visual information provided by the environment. This study is focused on investigating the effect of Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulated personal protective eyewear (29 CFR 1910.133) on physiological and cognitive factors associated with information processing capabilities. Twenty-one college students between the ages of 19 and 25 years were randomly tested in each of three eyewear conditions (control, new and artificially aged) on an inclined and horizontal support surface for auditory and visual stimulus reaction time. Data collection trials consisted of 50 randomly selected (25 auditory, 25 visual) stimuli over a 10-min surface-eyewear condition trial. Auditory stimulus reaction time was significantly affected by the surface by eyewear interaction (F2,40 = 7.4; p < 0.05). Similarly, analysis revealed a significant surface by eyewear interaction in reaction time following the visual stimulus (F2,40 = 21.7; p < 0.05). The current findings do not trivialize the importance of personal protective eyewear usage in an occupational setting; rather, they suggest the value of future research focused on the effect that personal protective eyewear has on the physiological, cognitive and biomechanical contributions to postural control. These findings suggest that while personal protective eyewear may serve to protect an individual from eye injury, an individual's use of such personal protective eyewear may have deleterious effects on sensory information associated with information processing and postural control.     

Adaptation to discomfort in personal protective devices: an example with safety helmets

Discomfort in the use of personal protective devices (PPD) has been one of the chief causes of their non-use. A field trial using industrial helmets was carried out to ascertain whether by training and repeated wearing subjects could experience a significant adaptation to discomfort. Ten subjects took part in the trial in a tropical environment by wearing helmets repeatedly (6 h a day) for one month. Subjective evaluations of discomfort were made at the end of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 14th and 30th day. It was revealed that complaints of discomfort, viz. hotness, heaviness, bad fit, etc., decreased markedly throughout the 30 day period. Though positive responses of adaptation to discomfort seem to reach an optimum towards 30 days, it is difficult to draw any conclusions on the optimum period of adaptation for each discomfort factor. In relation to inherent discomforts that are extremely difficult to overcome without compromising the protection efficiency of a PPD, the principle of adaptation seems to be a very important facet which has to be developed for an effective PPD programme.     

Effects of chemical protective equipment on team process performance in small unit rescue operations

In the event of a nuclear, biological, or chemical terrorist attack against civilians, both military and civilian emergency response teams must be able to respond and operate efficiently while wearing protective equipment. Chemical protective equipment protects the user by providing a barrier between the individual and hazardous environment. Unfortunately, the same equipment that is designed to support the user can potentially cause heat stress, reduced task efficiency, and reduced range-of-motion. Targeted Acceptable Responses to Generated Events of Tasks (TARGETS), an event-based team performance measurement methodology was used to investigate the effects of Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) on the behavioral processes underlying team performance during simulated rescue tasks. In addition, this study determined which team processes were related to team performance outcomes. Results of six primary analyses indicated that team process performance was not degraded by MOPP 4 on any rescue task and that the team processes critical for successful task performance are task-dependent. This article discusses the implications of these results with respect to the study design and the limitations of using an event-based team performance measurement methodology.     

舒适生活——砸碎万恶的旧电脑Aspire X3600 Acer台式电脑

很多人购买笔记本电脑有一个重要的原因，就是忍受不了家中台式电脑笨重的体积和呼啸的噪音，不过同时又羡慕台式电脑强劲的性能和大屏幕显示器，实在是“鱼与熊掌难以兼得”。而这款ＡcerAspire X3600应该属于第三种选择。     

YOLOv4 algorithm for the real-time detection of fire and personal protective equipments at construction sites

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Many difficulties are encountered during evacuation from construction sites in hazardous situations, which may lead to severe fatalities. These fatalities,...     

模糊舒适度传感器

介绍一种多维模糊传感器一模糊舒适度传感器。重点介绍多维符号化测量结果的合成方法；基于规则和基于模糊综合评判合成法。     

How to achieve leagility: A case study of a personal computer original equipment manufacturer in Taiwan

Taiwan is famous for its personal computer (PC) products, and this success demonstrates that Taiwanese manufacturers have effective strategies in managing supply chains of PC-related products. Among various strategies of supply chain management, achieving leagility is the main goal. The purpose of this study is to illustrate how a PC original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in Taiwan achieves leagility through reengineering its supply chain. The case study shows how the company adjusts its production processes from build-to-order (BTO) to configuration-to-order (CTO) to achieve leagility. Through this case study, some experiences of operating global logistics could be shared.     

Research needs in the American agricultural equipment industry. Results of a survey and some personal observations

A survey of research needs in the US agricultural equipment industry was conducted during the latter part of 1983. The purpose of the survey was to determine what information gaps existed in the human factors data base as far as agricultural engineers were concerned and to attempt to stimulate research in those areas where gaps were found to exist. Survey results indicate that answers to some problems can be found in existing human factors references but that survey respondents are not aware of where they can find them. Other survey results point out some interesting problems, possibly unique to agriculture, that need research inputs.     

Songs of Comfort and Joy

The music industry's story is a vivid reminder that entire industries can fail to see shifts in the market.