Page 300 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

Sizing and fit for protective clothing 293

Consequently, the task of designing becomes even more complex, to provide contem-
porary materials and integrative consumables with the fit of work wear that not only
allows productive execution of the task and use of PPE smart devices, but also offers
an aesthetic appearance.
Protective wear must comply with safety and performance requirements (not
affecting the health and hygiene of the user), size designations and clothing marking
(measuring procedures and checking standards for compliance with standards (ISO
8559-1:2017, 2017; ISO 8559-2:2017, 2017; ISO 7250-1:2017, 2017) and wear-out
(changes in one or more initial qualities of protective clothing over time). Within
all these requirements, users must be provided with a level of comfort that is in line
with the level of protection against hazards, environmental conditions, user activity
levels, and expected wear time (ISO 13688:2013, 2013).
In the case of unsatisfactory appearance and fit, situations may arise when a person
may decide not to use the necessary protective clothing and the PPE, unless it is
strictly determined by the rules of the entity or institution (e.g., in the armed forces,
police, rescue services, etc.). For example, clothing that is too loose or too tight bur-
dens human movements, dynamics, and also breathing, and sometimes threatens the
functioning of internal organs and human well-being in general. Skin contact infor-
mation, such as irritation, tickle, cold, hot, pressure, and pain, is also important
(EN 13921:2017, 2017). The anthropometric relevance of uniforms/working apparel
parts is most commonly understood in this respect. Because parts of the garment are
exposed to the skin, their properties, the feelings of the wearer, and the compliance
with the need must be taken into account first of all.
Anthropometric fit ensures the implementation of protective functions of the PPE.
Similar to everyday clothing, a noncompliant size of the PPE results in a downgrade of
human capacity, which may lead to injuries, or even fatal outcomes, during the exe-
cution of specific tasks. It is therefore essential that the PPE is suitable or adapted to
the wearer’s body, also is in accord with specific demands, in the proper size and
shape. Anthropometric fit (proportionality, anthropometric compliance) is defined
as an overall dimension configuration (tightness or looseness) corresponding to the
constructive purpose of the garment in relation to the overall measurements of the
recipient’s (wearer’s) figure. As mentioned previously, the PPE consists not only
of clothing but also of parts of equipment, gear, and accessories; therefore application
of human body measurements to the design of PPE, including variation in dimensions
within the user group, is called the anthropometrics of PPE (EN 13921:2017, 2017).
Furthermore, biomechanics of PPE is the application of principles and methods from
physics and engineering to describe the effect undergone by the human body and var-
ious body segments and the forces acting on these body segment, including any phys-
ical loading that may be caused by PPE (EN 13921:2017, 2017).
The ergonomic characteristics of PPE affect: the comfort, mobility, and dexterity
of users; the rate at which they develop fatigue; the efficiency with which they can
work in the PPE; the interaction of the PPE with other PPE; and the effectiveness
of the protection provided (EN 13921:2017, 2017).
Factors to be considered in specifying requirements to take into account the anthro-
pometric factors of PPE include: