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Martha Tate, Rick Zepp, Audra Wright,
Rick Purcell, Waihong Leong,
Cristine Schulz
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Lead the worldLead the world
in in essentialsessentialsfor a better life.for a better life.
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Protective Apparel:Comfort Drives Compliance
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How do we measure comfort of protective apparel?
ACTUAL USE
WORK ENVIRONMENT
End users
Usual environment
Full or partial shift
Usual work
SIMULATED USE LABORATORY
End users
Controlled environment (RH, temperature)
Shorter times
Simulated work
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What do we know from measuring comfort of other protective apparel and devices?
Human subject variability is high
Takes researcher experience to understand new garments and systems
Exaggerate motions and conditions to tell differences with simulated use
For small area comfort measures, wear full ensemble with focus on one item of ensemble
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Approach to Measuring Comfort of Hearing Protection
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Rate attributes on 7 point scale
How: – Comfortable was this product?– Easy to use was this product?– Well did this product fit?– Well did you like it overall?– Well did this product work with other PPE?
1. How well did this product FIT?
□ □ □ □ □ □ □ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Not Well At All Very Well
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Users are presented with the order in which they evaluated products.
They force rank all products evaluated_____ Most Preferred; Explain: ___________
_____ Explain: _________________________
_____ Explain: _________________________
_____ Least Preferred; Explain: ___________
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End of Shift Preference for Similar Ear Plugs
Few significant differences were seen between the products in this study.
Prototype was preferred to Commercial #1 Overall. The prototype was least preferred for Easier to Put On.0
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20
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Overall Preference
Coolest Easy to Put on
Easy to Store
Stay in Place
Prototype Commercial 1 Commercial 2
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End of Shift Preference for Different Products
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20
30
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Overall Preference
Coolest Easy to Put on
Easy to Store
Stay in Place
Fit
Prototype Ear Plug Ear Muffs Ear Band
The prototype was significantly preferred Overall, Coolest Appearance, Staying in Place, and Fit
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Repeatability of Comfort Demonstrated at Two Industrial Sites
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Summary
Comfort was evaluated in work environment– Need cooperation of the facility – Ability to interview workers onsite a big plus
2 hours wear for screening and product development
Full shift for preference among products
Methods are highly repeatable
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Thanks to the team!
Rick Zepp
Audra Wright
Cristine Schulz
Waihong Leong
Rick Purcell