An International Symposium
An evaluation of low cost ergonomically designed protective work clothing for furnace workers in India was conducted. The clothing consisted of a black apron constructed of a light weight, washable fire resistant microperforated and vapor permeable fabric. The apron was designed to be worn with a man cooler on the back. Warm moist air produced by sweating escaped from vents in the apron. Small pieces of insulating material covered by reflecting aluminum were attached to the fabric. The reflecting material was designed to be removed for washing and later reattached. Seven male furnace workers, mean age 35.9 years, wore the aprons while at work and outdoors. Thermal data and heat stress indices such as global, dry and wet bulb temperatures, pulse rate, and oral temperature were recorded. All parameters of thermal stress were reduced when the aprons were worn. For example, the mean pulse rates with and without the aprons were 153 and 91.4 beats per minute, respectively. The mean oral temperature was 38.13 degrees-C when the apron was not worn and 37.6 degrees-C when it was worn.