title: Effect of cold conditions on manual performance while wearing petroleum industry protective clothing.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate manual performance and thermal responses during low work intensity in persons wearing standard protective clothing in the petroleum industry when they were exposed to a range of temperatures (5, -5, -15 and -25℃) that are relevant to environmental conditions for petroleum industry personnel in northern regions. Twelve men participated in the study. Protective clothing was adjusted for the given cold exposure according to current practices. The subjects performed manual tests five times under each environmental condition. The manual performance test battery consisted of four different tests: tactile sensation (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments), finger dexterity (Purdue Pegboard), hand dexterity (Complete Minnesota dexterity test) and grip strength (grip dynamometer). We found that exposure to -5℃ or colder lowered skin and body temperatures and reduced manual performance during low work intensity. In conclusion the current protective clothing at a given cold exposure is not adequate to maintain manual performance and thermal balance for petroleum workers in the high north.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology. oystein.wiggen@sintef.no
authors.forename: Øystein Nordrum
authors.initials: ØN
authors.lastname: Wiggen
authors.forename: Sigri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heen
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Færevik
authors.forename: Randi Eidsmo
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Reinertsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010578:Petroleum; D011481:Protective Clothing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum