title: Ergonomic and usability ratings of helmets and head-mounted personal protective equipment in industry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anecdotal evidence from industry suggests that those working as arborists prefer to use minimal brim style, climbing helmets rather than traditional forestry helmets. In the mining industry, workers prefer wireless, LED cap lamps. Workers cite better comfort, better ability to see their work and better ventilation as reasons to use those helmets and cap lamps. Safety personnel in the industry would like to base future helmet decisions and requirements on a complete understanding of the ergonomic and safety issues of all available head-borne equipment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Previous research has found that helmet design, head load and head/neck posture can influence the amount of neck discomfort experienced by users. Specific features of helmets and head-mounted personal protective equipment (PPE) in various industries have been changing to reflect ergonomic design principles. A series of three studies were conducted to evaluate usability and preference of new style cap lamps and helmet brims.
  
  
  METHODS
  PARTICIPANTS (n=10-16) were recruited primarily from undergraduate students, and each study represents a different group of novice participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two different courses that included a tunnel were used in the first two studies to evaluate cap lamp styles and wireless cap lamps, while a simulated arborist task was used in the final study to evaluate helmet brim. Measures of ergonomic and discomfort questionnaires were analysed for this paper.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first cap lamp study was able to conclude that LED lamps are preferred over incandescent lamps, while the second study demonstrated that users prefer a multi-directional beam, and adjustability features of the cap lamp. In the final study, participants who must perform extreme overhead tasks prefer a helmet with a minimal brim.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Additional research is warranted to determine whether actual, industry workers demonstrate the same preferences for these PPE items.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada Center for Research in Occupational Safety and Health, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Alison A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Godwin
authors.affiliation: School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada Center for Research in Occupational Safety and Health, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Tammy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Eger
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D016468:Forestry; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D008029:Lighting; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Discomfort; arborist; cap lamps; mining; safety gear