Objective

To provide a comprehensive characterization of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personal protective equipment (PPE) by evaluating its effects on the human body, specifically the poses, tasks, and conditions under which EOD operations are performed.

Background

EOD PPE is designed to protect technicians from a blast. The required features of protection make EOD PPE heavy, bulky, poorly ventilated, and difficult to maneuver in. It is not clear how the EOD PPE wearer physiologically adapts to maintain physical and cognitive performance during EOD operations.

Method

Fourteen participants performed EOD operations including mobility and inspection tasks with and without EOD PPE. Physiological measurement and kinematic data recording were used to record human physiological responses and performance.

Results

All physiological measures were significantly higher during the mobility and the inspection tasks when EOD PPE was worn. Participants spent significantly more time to complete the mobility tasks, whereas mixed results were found in the inspection tasks. Higher back muscle activations were seen in participants who performed object manipulation while wearing EOD PPE.

Conclusion

EOD operations while wearing EOD PPE pose significant physical stress on the human body. The wearer’s mobility is impacted by EOD PPE, resulting in decreased speed and higher muscle activations.

Application

The testing and evaluation methodology in this study can be used to benchmark future EOD PPE designs. Identifying hazards posed by EOD PPE lays the groundwork for developing mitigation plans, such as exoskeletons, to reduce physical and cognitive stress caused by EOD PPE on the wearers without compromising their operational performance.

中文翻译：

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穿着重型个人防护装备时，表征爆炸物处理操作对人体的影响

客观的

通过评估其对人体的影响，特别是执行 EOD 操作的姿势、任务和条件，提供爆炸性军械处理 (EOD) 个人防护设备 (PPE) 的全面表征。

背景

EOD PPE 旨在保护技术人员免受爆炸伤害。所需的保护功能使 EOD PPE 笨重、笨重、通风不良且难以操作。目前尚不清楚 EOD PPE 佩戴者在生理上如何适应以在 EOD 操作期间保持身体和认知能力。

方法

十四名参与者执行了 EOD 操作，包括使用和不使用 EOD PPE 的机动性和检查任务。生理测量和运动学数据记录用于记录人体生理反应和表现。

结果

当穿戴 EOD PPE 时，所有生理指标在移动和检查任务中都显着提高。参与者花费更多时间来完成移动任务，而在检查任务中发现混合结果。在穿着 EOD PPE 进行物体操作的参与者中可以看到更高的背部肌肉激活。

结论

穿着 EOD PPE 进行 EOD 操作会对人体造成巨大的身体压力。穿戴者的活动能力受到 EOD PPE 的影响，导致速度降低和肌肉激活增加。

应用

本研究中的测试和评估方法可用于对未来的 EOD PPE 设计进行基准测试。识别 EOD PPE 造成的危害为制定缓解计划（例如外骨骼）奠定了基础，以减少 EOD PPE 对穿戴者造成的身体和认知压力，同时不影响其操作性能。