AILEEN’S UNIFORM ATLAS
The Pulse is pleased to present Aileen’s Uniform Atlas, a recurring feature written by Aileen Out.
Out is the owner of Prettybusiness, a news blog in the Netherlands that focuses exclusively on work clothing.
In recent years, body scans that measure body dimensions have become increasingly popular. While 3D scans can do this effectively, the 4D scan takes it a step further. These scans not only measure body dimensions but also capture how the body moves. This can significantly improve PPEs, especially in physically demanding jobs.
Canada will make it available itself
Capturing these anatomical details is important when aiming to sell high-quality PPEs. However, Canada takes it even further, considering it a societal benefit to make this data publicly available. Conestoga College is currently collaborating with the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance (CISWP) to make this a reality. In a specialized lab, a large number of men and women from various professional backgrounds are being scanned.
According to Amin Yazdani, Executive Director of CISWP, many manufacturers use outdated data. By updating and publishing this data in a public database, they hope to encourage the production of better PPEs. Yazdani hopes this will especially help improve workplace protection for women.
Companies and the army
Although it would be ideal if this data were available in every country, this is unfortunately (not yet) the case. Consequently, more and more companies worldwide are developing their own 4D scans. In 2019, the German company Hohenstein was already working on projects where they used their 4D scans. They collaborated with Carhartt, which used this data to develop its workwear.
The U.S. Army is also keen to use this new technology. At the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC), 4D scans have been used for years to study the relationship between the body and protective gear. It’s an effective way to optimize equipment, thereby aiming to improve soldiers’ survival chances and performance.
The limitations
As promising as it sounds, these scans are new and far from perfect. For instance, research from Hohenstein has shown that 4D scans are challenging to use for firefighter suits. The scanner struggles with black and reflective fabrics. As a workaround, baby powder is currently used to reduce reflections since it can be easily washed off. The black fabric is digitally altered to make it lighter and more detectable.
I expect that the new generation of scans will make life a lot more pleasant for both companies and the wearers of workwear and PPE. But let’s not cheer too soon. These new systems still need some time and attention before they work optimally. Give them a few more years..
