Committee F23 on Protective Clothing seeks new members and input for development of new standards that will evaluate the human effects of protective clothing worn in hot environments. Recognizing that tradeoffs exist when attempting to provide adequate protection, wearer comfort, and functionality, the Human Factors Subcommittee F23.60 will focus on human factors that occur when protective clothing is worn to prevent heat stress in hot working conditions and warm or humid climates.

The Human Factors Subcommittee F23.60 has successfully established test methods and practices to evaluate protective clothing materials and garments for their insulative effects in both bench-scale and manikin-based tests. It invites participation in its current development of methodology related to the incidence of heat stress, with:

• A proposed Standard Guide for Conducting Evaluations of the Heat Stress Effects for Protective Clothing; and
• A proposed Standard Practice for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Personal Body Cooling Garments (or Devices).

Those interested in these activities should contact Elizabeth A. McCullough, professor, Institute for Environmental Research, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan. (phone: 785/532-2284). Committee F23 meets Jan. 23-24 in Dallas, Texas. For meeting or membership details, contact Steve Mawn, manager, ASTM Technical Committee Operations (phone: 610/832-9726). //

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