Human Factors Study of the Clothe the Soldier Temperate Combat Glove
Abstract
As part of the Clothe the Soldier project, the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine (DCIEM) was tasked to support the acquisition of temperate combat gloves (TCG). The TCGis a one-piece glove (i.e. no insert) intended to provide the essential dexterity and abrasion protection in temperatures of 10C to 35C. This report describes the results of a Human Factors evaluation trial conducted to resolve differences in fit and design (i.e. cut) and determine if two new prototype glove designs were compliant with Human Factors performance specifications. Thirty-six regular force soldiers were selected for specific hand sizes from Whiskey Battery at CFB Gagetown and were given temperate combat gloves. All participants took part in an uncontrolled portion of the trial. Participants issued only one pair of gloves had an opportunity to expose one glove to 95 days of operational use, and half that time for those issued two pair. Data was collected primarily to assess performance criteria requiring extended operational use (fit (change in fit), protection, durability, and maintainability). Twenty-one participants took part in the controlled portion of the trial. A two-day field trial was undertaken at CFB Gagetown over the period of November 4-5, 1999. Participants issued two pairs of gloves were required to undertake a battery of Human Factors tests while wearing the different temperate glove conditions in a repeated measures design. Human Factors tests included assessments of fit, accessibility, adjustability, compatibility, performance of clinical, military and battle tasks, thermal and physical comfort, durability, and user acceptance. Data collection included questionnaires, focus groups, performance measures and HF observer assessments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- AD1003752