Development of a protective suit against exposure to low temperatures

Open-pit coal mining in winter in the Kuznetsk coal basin is accompanied by the effects of low temperatures on working personnel. The manifestation of low temperatures leads to economic losses, emergencies, as well as cases of hypothermia of workers and the development of occupational diseases. Low temperatures lead to an increase in the body's heat transfer, disruption of thermoregulation mechanisms, and increased fatigue. In addition, there is a decrease in working capacity, accelerated fatigue when performing physical activity. In order to ensure the protection of working personnel from the effects of this factor, an operating mode is established in winter with interruptions in a warm room, special rooms for heating are equipped, preparatory measures are carried out, including snow and ice removal. At the same time, the main protection measure for employees is to provide them with personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment against exposure to low temperatures is represented by heat-protective clothing, insulated shoes and gloves. The main thermal protection function is performed by protective suits, the protective properties of which are characterized by total thermal resistance and thermal insulation. As part of the tests, the physico-mechanical properties of materials for a protective suit against exposure to low temperatures were determined. The research objectives included the development of an ergonomic suit that provides a high level of protection against low temperatures in the third climate zone and does not create discomfort during production operations.

Kolvakh K. A., Babkin R. S., Duka N. E., Stepantsova A. Yu., Dolbilina V. S. Development of a protective suit against exposure to low temperatures. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(11):169-181. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_11_0_169.

The study was carried out under state contract for FSRW-2026-0003 Research of Integrated Subsoil Development and Advanced Processing of Georesources. Within the framework of the research, two applications for useful model were filed: Individual Protective Device, application no. 2026110836 dated as of 9 April (Nether Garments) and Individual Protective Device, application no. 2026110852 dated as of 9 April 2026 (Jacket).

K.A. Kolvakh¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant of Chair, e-mail: Kolvakh_KA@pers.spmi.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0145-9465,
R.S. Babkin¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, e-mail: Babkin_RS@pers.spmi.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6211-7261,
N.E. Duka¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant of Chair, e-mail: Duka_NE@pers.spmi.ru,
A.Yu. Stepantsova¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant of Chair, e-mail: Stepantsova_AYu@pers.spmi.ru,
V.S. Dolbilina¹, Student, e-mail: s231405@stud.spmi.ru,
¹ Empress Catherine II Saint-Petersburg Mining University, 199106, Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

K.A. Kolvakh, e-mail: Kolvakh_KA@pers.spmi.ru.

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