THE EFFECTS OF A SHIP ABANDONMENT SUIT ON

THE EFFECTS OF A SHIP ABANDONMENT SUIT ON STRUCTURAL
ANTHROPOMETRIC DIMENSIONS OF OFFSHORE WORKERS
Sherma L. Dewey,
School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, 6230 South Street, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 3J5. [email protected]
John W. Kozey,
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Abstract
There have been few anthropometric studies conducted on offshore workers. This research
is needed for the proper design of clothing, equipment, and workspaces for use in this
industry. Due to the unique nature and physical demands of the work, it is reasonable to
expect the anthropometric dimensions of the offshore workers to be different from other
samples. The purpose of this study was to measure various structural anthropometric
dimensions of offshore workers and document changes in these dimensions after donning a
ship abandonment suit. Thirty-three workers voluntarily participated in this study. Forty-two
structural dimensions were recorded for each participant, 28 without a suit and 14 with a suit.
Standard anthropometric devices were used and all measurements followed the protocols
recommended by Reilly (2003). A series of one-tailed paired t-tests were performed on the
structural dimensions collected without and with the suit. As expected, all dimensions
increased after donning the suit (p<0.001).
Key words: Anthropometric Dimensions, Offshore Workers, Ship Abandonment Suits
LES RÉPERCUSSIONS ENTRAÎNÉES PAR LES COMBINAISONS D’ABANDON SUR
LES DIMENSIONS ANTHROPOMÉTRIQUES DES TRAVAILLEURS EN HAUTE MER
Résumé
Il existe peu d’études anthropométriques réalisées sur les travailleurs en haute mer. La
présente étude était requise pour la conception adéquate de vêtements, d’équipements et de
d’espaces de travail dans ce secteur. En raison de la nature et des exigences physiques
exceptionnelles du travail, il est raisonnable de croire que les dimensions anthropométriques
des travailleurs en haute mer seront différentes d’autres échantillons. Le but de cette étude
visait à prendre les différentes dimensions anthropométriques structurelles des travailleurs
de mer et de consigner les modifications après qu’ils avaient enfilé une combinaison
d’abandon de navire. Au total, 33 travailleurs ont pris part à l’étude sur une base volontaire.
Quarante-deux dimensions ont été consignées pour chacun des participants, dont 28
dimensions sans combinaison et 14 dimensions avec combinaison. Des appareils
anthropométriques standard on été utilisés en suivant les protocoles recommandés par Reilly
(2003). Une série de tests t unilatéraux et jumelés ont été effectués pour les dimensions
structurelles sans combinaison et avec combinaison. Comme prévu, toutes les dimensions
étaient plus élevées après que les travailleurs avaient enfilé la combinaison (p<0,001).
Mots clés : dimensions, travailleurs en haute mer, combinaison d’abandon de navire.
INTRODUCTION
A number of anthropometric studies have been conducted using samples from different
populations (Carrier & Meunier, 1996; Hsiao, Long, & Snyder, 2002; Laing, Holland, Wilson,
& Niven, 1999; Marras & Kim, 1993; Stewart, 1985). However, few researchers have
collected anthropometric data from individuals working in the offshore industry (Light &
Gibson, 1986; Parkes, 2003; Reilly, 2003). Since the work in this industry is physically
demanding and unique, it is logical to expect that the structural anthropometric dimensions of
offshore workers would differ from other samples. The anthropometric dimensions of these
workers are needed to appropriately design clothing, equipment, and workspaces for use in
the offshore industry.
The ship abandonment suit is a vital piece of personal protective equipment worn by an
offshore worker. This suit is worn over the worker’s clothing during the helicopter flight to and
from the offshore platform or rig and during an emergency on the platform or rig (Brooks,
1986; Gaul & Mekjavic, 1987). The primary function of a ship abandonment suit is to protect
the worker against hypothermia caused by being immersed in cold water as the result of a
helicopter ditching or from abandoning the offshore platform or rig (Brooks, 1986; Leese &
Norman, 1979).
When wearing a ship abandonment suit it is reasonable to expect that an individual’s
structural anthropometric dimensions will increase. Therefore, the purpose of this study was
to measure various structural anthropometric dimensions of offshore workers and record the
changes in 14 specific dimensions after donning a ship abandonment suit.
METHODS
Thirty-one males and two females signed a consent form indicating their voluntarily
participation in this study. These participants were either employed in the offshore industry or
were seeking employment in this industry.
After recording the participant’s age, shoe size, and years of employment in the offshore, 42
structural anthropometric dimensions were measured according to the protocol
recommended by Reilly (2003). Twenty-eight of these dimensions were measured with the
participant wearing a shirt or T-shirt, pants, and no footwear (“No Suit” condition). The
remaining 14 dimensions were measured while wearing a Helly Hansen® ship abandonment
suit (E-352) over their clothes (“Suit” condition). Thirty-one of the 42 dimensions were
collected in a standing position and 11 dimensions were collected in a seated position.
Anatomical landmarking was used to provide consistency in the measures and when
necessary the structural dimensions were taken on the right side of the participant’s body.
The body mass of the participant was measured to the nearest 0.45 kg using a mechanical
spring scale. For the remaining standing structural and circumference dimensions, the
participant was instructed to stand erect, look straight ahead, place their feet slightly apart,
relax their shoulders and place their hands at their sides. The horizontal and vertical
anthropometric dimensions were collected using a standing anthropometer, a Harpenden
anthropometer, and a standard measuring tape. To collect the circumference dimensions, a
spring gauge with an attached measuring tape was used. All structural and circumference
dimensions were measured to the nearest 1.0 mm.
For the circumference dimensions, 200 g of tension was applied to the tape measure during
the “No Suit” measurement, 80 g of tension was applied to the tape measure during the
uncompressed “Suit” measurement, and 600 g of tension was applied to the tape measure
during the compressed “Suit” measurement (Reilly, 2003).
During the seated structural dimensions, the participant sat in an armless chair. The
participant was positioned with their head in the Frankfort plane, shoulders relaxed, forearms
and hands resting on the thighs, feet flat on the floor and knees and ankles at 90°.
After 28 structural dimensions were collected in the “No Suit” condition, the participant
donned a Helly Hansen® ship abandonment suit (E-352). This suit was sized according to the
participant’s gender and their calculated BMI using a sizing chart developed by Reilly (2003).
While the participant was wearing the ship abandonment suit, the previously described
procedure for collecting the standing and sitting structural anthropometric dimensions was
repeated for 14 selected dimensions.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
To determine the changes in the 14 specific anthropometric dimensions, one-tailed paired ttests were performed. The results of these t-tests are displayed in Table 1. The largest mean
differences were found for the “No compression” (80g) chest and waist circumference
dimensions. These values were 156.2 (± 42.4) mm for chest circumference and 137.5 (±
61.5) mm for waist circumference. Standing hip breadth had the smallest mean difference at
13.2 (± 7.0) mm. The remaining mean differences varied from 14.6 mm to 115.1 mm.
Table 1. Results of the one-tailed paired t-tests for 14 structural anthropometric dimensions.
Dimensions were taken standing and reported in mm unless otherwise stated.
Dimension
N
M. Dif
SD
SE
t-value
df
p
Hip Breadth
33
13.2
7.0
1.2
10.8
32
<0.001
Acromial Height Sitting
33
14.6
12.1
2.1
6.9
32
<0.001
Sitting Height. Relaxed
33
15.9
12.8
2.2
7.1
32
<0.001
Sitting Height Erect
33
16.1
10.2
1.8
9.1
32
<0.001
Thigh Clearance Sitting
33
22.0
15.5
1.1
21.0
32
<0.001
Chest Depth
33
22.5
11.0
1.9
11.7
32
<0.001
Chest Breadth
33
23.5
16.2
2.8
8.3
32
<0.001
Hip Breadth Sitting
33
29.2
6.0
2.7
10.8
32
<0.001
Stature
33
34.0
8.7
1.5
22.5
32
<0.001
Bi-acromial Breadth
33
34.7
16.6
2.9
12.0
32
<0.001
Waist Circ. (600g)
33
106.1
56.5
9.8
10.8
32
<0.001
Chest Circ. (600g)
33
115.1
37.7
6.6
17.5
32
<0.001
Waist Circ. (80g)
33
137.5
61.5
10.7
12.8
32
<0.001
Chest Circ. (80g)
33
156.2
42.4
7.4
21.1
32
<0.001
Note. M. Dif-Mean difference; Circ.-Circumference
CONCLUSION
This study collected various anthropometric dimensions from offshore workers and
documented the changes in a number of these dimensions after the workers had donned a
ship abandonment suit. It was determined that all of the 14 anthropometric dimensions of
interest increased significantly (p<0.001) when wearing a Helly Hansen® ship abandonment
suit (E-352). The largest dimensional increases were found for the waist and chest
circumference dimensions.
The data collected in this study indicated that the physical dimensions of offshore workers
are different from other samples. Therefore, knowing the size of these workers is important
for the proper design of clothing, personal protective equipment, and related offshore
workspaces.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study was funded by Petroleum Research Atlantic Canada (PRAC). The authors also
acknowledge Survival System Limited and Helly Hansen® for their support.
REFERENCES
Brooks, C. J. (1986). Ship/rig personnel abandonment and helicopter crew/passenger
immersion suits: The requirements in the North Atlantic. Aviation, Space, and
Environmental Medicine, 57, 276-282.
Carrier, R., & Meunier, P. (1996). Effects of protective equipment on anthropometric
measurements and functional limitations (DCIEM No: 96-CR-22). North York ON:
Department of National Defence.
Gaul, C. A., & Mekjavic, I. B. (1987). Helicopter pilot suits for offshore application. Applied
Ergonomics, 18(2), 153-158.
Hsiao, H., Long, D., & Snyder, K. (2002). Anthropometric differences among occupational
groups. Ergonomics, 45(2), 136-152.
Laing, R. M., Holland, E. J., Wilson, C. A., & Niven, B. E. (1999). Development of sizing
systems for protective clothing for the male adult. Ergonomics, 42(10), 1249-1257.
Leese, W. L. B., & Norman, J. N. (1979). Helicopter passenger survival suits standards in the
UK offshore oil industry. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 50(2), 110-114.
Light, I. M., & Gibson, M. (1986). Percentage body fat and prevalence of obesity in a UK
offshore population. British Journal of Nutrition, 56, 97-104.
Marras, W. S., & Kim, J. Y. (1993). Anthropometry of industrial populations. Ergonomics,
36(4), 371-378.
Parkes, K. N. (2003). Demographics and lifestyle predictors of body mass index among
offshore oil industry workers: cross-sectional and longitudinal findings. Occupational
Medicine, 53(3), 213-221.
Reilly, T. J. (2003). Implications of a helicopter passenger suit on the structural
anthropometry and functional reach of industrial offshore workers. Unpublished master’s
thesis, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Stewart, L. E. (1985). 1985 Anthropometric survey of Canadian Forces Aircrew (DCIEM-TR85-12-01). Contract report for DCIEM. Toronto, Ontario: Human Elements Incorporated.