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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

30

40

50

60

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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50

60

70

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90

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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