Movement Analysis as the Basis for the Development and Evaluation of a Protective Coverall Design for Asbestos Abatement

Movement analysis is a useful procedure for designers of protective apparel, both as a source of information needed to design more mobile apparel and as a means of judging the performance of various apparel models. This study focused on the development of a movement analysis test for the investigation of movement problems associated with disposable coveralls used as protection for asbestos abatement workers. The test was based on a technique developed by Crow and Dewar in which a honeycomb pattern of slashes made over the surface of a garment could be observed to open in response to the pressure exerted by the body as the wearer moved. (Crow and Dewar, 1986) [1] This allowed the location, direction, and degree of stress to be seen and recorded on videotape. A new coverall design was developed based on information from the movement analysis test. The test was also used to evaluate the performance of the new design compared to the original design. The results of the movement analysis test and the results of a field test of the two coverall styles both supported the conclusion that the redesigned coveralls provided workers with greater mobility than the original style of coverall.