Mine rescuers’ heat load during the expenditure of physical effort in a hot environment, using ventilated underwear and selected breathing apparatus

Abstract

Mine rescuers' heat load under the same physical effort load (25% of the maximal oxygen uptake), using three types of breathing apparatus, in newly developed heat-removing underwear and outerwear was assessed for typical work conditions of mine rescuers, under milder and harsher ambient conditions of 32 and 38 °C, respectively, both at relative humidity of 85% and air velocity of 1.0 m/s. Expending physical effort at the same load while using different kinds of breathing apparatus resulted in a similar heat load. Under both milder and harsher ambient conditions, heat storage and sweating intensity were greater than the average limit value recommended by hygienic standards, which indicates that the use of breathing apparatus significantly hinders heat exchange with the environment. The developed clothing for mine rescuers was highly rated, and was considered by most people to be better than that used currently.

Thermal Load of Mine Rescuer in the Underwear and Protective Clothing with Phase Change Materials in Simulated Utility Conditions

“…The assumed time for the complete test was 120 min; however, it was limited when either thresholds for physiological parameters such as internal temperature (measured in the gastrointestinal tract T abd ) and heart rate (HR) were achieved or subjective signs of fatigue were notified. In order to guarantee safety of test participants, the following limits were adopted [ 19 ]: 38.5 °C and > 85% HR max , respectively . Before the tests, the volunteers signed the approval for participation in the study.…”

Analysis and Assessment of Hazards Caused by Chemicals Contaminating Selected Items of Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment – a Literature Review

“…W środowisku pracy strażaka występuje wiele czynników niebezpiecznych, do których zaliczyć można: zanieczyszczenie powietrza, obecność produktów spalania i substancji chemicznych, zawalające się konstrukcje budowlane, gorący mikroklimat, nadmierny hałas, obciążenie fizyczne, niedostateczną ilość tlenu, a także stres zawodowy [1][2][3][4]. Podczas działań ratowniczych strażacy narażeni są na działanie substancji chemicznych powstających zarówno w pożarach różnorodnych obiektów budowlanych, jak i w przestrzeniach otwartych [5][6].…”

“…In the firefighter's work environment, there are many hazardous factors, including: air pollution, the presence of combustion products and chemicals, collapsing building structures, hot microclimate, excessive noise, physical stress, insufficient oxygen and occupational stress [1][2][3][4]. In the course of rescue operations, firefighters are exposed to chemicals generated in burning of various buildings and in open spaces [5][6].…”

Effect of previous lowering of skin temperature on the time of safe exposure to a hot environment: a case study

“…Exposure to such heat load concerns, first of all, rescue workers, firemen and machine operators. Building awareness of the kind of heat load that workers may be exposed to during work or a rescue operation performed in a hot and humid environment is critical to their safety [1][2][3][4][5].…”

“…In conditions in which it is possible to equip a person with heavier protective clothing (military or rescue operations), one of the frequently studied solutions is a cooling vest [3,14,15]. A cooling vest could be filled with ice (ice vest) [16,17] or phase-change materials (PCM) [18,19] and receive heat from the human body, reducing the heat accumulation in the body.…”