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Sosa EM, Woods S, Powers BS, Bailey M, Benedict T, O'Brien E, Smith A. Assessing the impact of industrial glove use on perceived hand dexterity, function, and strength. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2024; 114:104134. [PMID: 37716081 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Prevention of musculoskeletal occupational hazards is an important topic in extractive industries. This study quantifies the impact of three styles of industrial metacarpal gloves on dexterity, gripping, pinching, and torquing tasks. Results indicated that wearing metacarpal gloves duplicated the time to complete a dexterity task from an average of 57 s for bare hands to 127 s for gloved hands. The highest drop in gripping force occurred while wearing a thicker glove, while gloves with thinner palmar sides produced smaller but similar force reductions of around 6%. The highest pinching force was obtained while wearing the thinnest glove, with a rise of 15%. Self-perception of exertion while wearing gloves varied between genders. Given that dexterity, grip, and pinch strength outcomes varied based on glove materials, the authors propose a new hand safety concept model to promote a multi-factorial approach to balance the risks and benefits of prospective personal protective equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo M Sosa
- Statler College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
| | - SueAnn Woods
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - B Seth Powers
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Madison Bailey
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Taryn Benedict
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Emily O'Brien
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Aaron Smith
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
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Xu N, Liu G, Su Y, Tian M, Li J. Modeling of heat transfer and thermal regulation for an electric heating glove against a cold environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2023; 29:168-176. [PMID: 34989663 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2026065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
An electric heating glove can protect the health of workers without affecting flexibility of the hand in a cold environment. A heat transfer model of an electric heating glove with a function of intelligent temperature control was established. The model was verified by a test device for simulating cold-contact exposure. The results showed good agreement between the simulated values and the experimental values. Based on the numerical model, the basic parameters of the electric heating glove were analyzed. It was found that the pressure, thickness and thermal conductivity of the outer fabric were the key factors affecting the thermal regulative performance of the electric heating glove. The power consumption of the electric heating glove was mainly determined by the thickness of the outer fabric. The developed model provides a theoretical basis for the design of an electric heating glove for a thermal regulative effect and energy saving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Xu
- College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University, China
| | - Guangju Liu
- College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University, China
| | - Yun Su
- College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University, China.,Protective Clothing Research Center, Donghua University, China.,Key Laboratory of Clothing Design and Technology, Donghua University, China
| | - Miao Tian
- College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University, China.,Protective Clothing Research Center, Donghua University, China.,Key Laboratory of Clothing Design and Technology, Donghua University, China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University, China.,Protective Clothing Research Center, Donghua University, China.,Key Laboratory of Clothing Design and Technology, Donghua University, China
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Woods S, Sosa EM, Kurowski-Burt A, Fleming M, Matheny K, Richardson A, Scott H, Perry B, Zornes I. Effects of wearing of metacarpal gloves on hand dexterity, function, and perceived comfort: A pilot study. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2021; 97:103538. [PMID: 34325355 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Metacarpal gloves are commonly used in heavy-duty industries such as mining and are typically thicker and bulkier than manufacturing or assembly industrial gloves. This pilot study investigates the impact of wearing metacarpal gloves on hand dexterity, functional capabilities, and perceived comfort. Four types of commercially available metacarpal gloves were selected for evaluation in a randomized controlled trial. Evaluations included turning and placing tests, also grip, pinch, and screwdriver tests, and rating of the perceived level of effort. Dexterity test results showed that metacarpal gloves significantly reduced the ability to perform motor tasks requiring coordination compared to bare hands. Hand functions such as gripping, pinching, and forearm rotations were not significantly affected. However, the perceived level of effort needed to complete those hand functions increased as the metacarpal glove's bulkiness increased. High levels of mechanical protection typically offered by metacarpal gloves can inversely affect hand dexterity and hand exertion.
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Affiliation(s)
- SueAnn Woods
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
| | - Eduardo M Sosa
- Statler College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
| | - Amy Kurowski-Burt
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Marissa Fleming
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Kristen Matheny
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Ashlyn Richardson
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Heather Scott
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Brooke Perry
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Isabella Zornes
- School of Medicine, Division of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
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Deng Y, Cao B, Liu B, Zhu Y. Effects of local heating on thermal comfort of standing people in extremely cold environments. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2020; 185:107256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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