Physiological and hygienic substantiation of development of a technique of an estimation of overalls for protection working in the heating environment on indicators of a thermal condition

Abstract

Sanitary and hygienic assessment of overalls for workers in a heating environment is currently carried out only on the physical, mechanical and hygienic properties of the materials from which it is made, not taking into account the effect of clothing on the thermal state of the human body and its heat and moisture exchange with the environment. Th e results of studies of the thermal and functional state of a person performing physical work in a heating environment showed differences in the formation of the thermal load on the body depending on the air temperature and the type of workwear used to protect against production hazards, as well as the significance of the thermophysical parameters of the materials (air permeability, vapor permeability, hygroscopicity) of which it is made. In addition, the development and manufacture of new materials with special protective properties, including using nanotechnology, expanding their assortment for the manufacture of workwear dictates the need to test their protective properties not only at the stands, but also in finished products in experimental studies involving humans. Th erefore, it is urgent to develop a methodology for evaluating workwear according to indicators of a person’s thermal state, which allows determining the degree of influence of the whole complex of environmental factors, labor process and workwear on the thermal state of people working in a heating environment in order to predict it and establish the work schedule in relation to specific conditions. Th e technique is intended for organizations involved in the design and development of workwear used in a heating environment, as well as materials for its manufacture; for testing laboratories performing sanitary-hygienic assessment of personal protective equipment.