Abstract
In the realm of construction work, laborers frequently contend with adverse weather conditions and the resultant heat stress, which detrimentally impacts their general well-being and job performance. The adoption of smart cooling vests has emerged as a viable solution to confront these challenges. This research endeavors to delve into the fundamental attributes and advantages associated with cooling vests, particularly focusing on active cooling mechanisms and ergonomic design, with the ultimate aim of optimizing thermal regulation and enhancing the overall well-being and occupational safety of construction workers in high-temperature environments. The key objective of this study revolves around evaluating the effectiveness of an intelligent cooling vest in regulating body temperature, ensuring optimal comfort, and mitigating the inherent hazards of heat-related ailments. To achieve this, a user study involving 15 participants was conducted. The findings indicate positive feedback from the majority of participants, emphasizing the potential of the smart cooling vest. Additionally, participants provided valuable suggestions that can contribute to further advancements in the design and functionality of the cooling vest, making it an even more effective solution for addressing heat-related challenges in occupational settings. The study includes a comparative analysis of the results obtained from the intelligent cooling vest against established cooling methods. This analysis aims to identify distinct benefits and assess the potential for widespread implementation across various sectors.
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Hossain, F., Xue, M., Rahman, S., Azad, T., Shidujaman, M. (2024). Designing a Smart Cooling Vest to Reduce Heat Stress for Construction Workers. In: Kurosu, M., Hashizume, A. (eds) Human-Computer Interaction. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14687. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60441-6_3
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