The micro-techn0logy will warn wearers when they experience vibrations likely to cause conditions such as vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Project lead Professor Tilak Dias of the School of Art & Design said: “Prolonged use of power tools can result in a variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and vascular disorders.
“But by using smart textiles, it could be possible to detect with accuracy when a worker is exposed to damaging levels of vibrations and help prevent such conditions occurring in the first place.”
During the past decade more than 10,000 claims have been made for vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome, according to the Health and Safety Executive.
Workers at most risk are those who regularly use power tools such as concrete breakers, sanders, grinders, hammer drills and chainsaws.
The e-gloves being developed by Nottingham Trent University look like a normal pair of worker’s gloves to the naked eye and can be washed and worn without any damage to the technology.
The vibration sensors are only two millimetres long and are encapsulated in micro pods before being embedded into the yarns which are knitted into gloves.
When a dangerous level of exposure to vibrations is about to be experienced, a worker is alerted to stop work.
Dr Theodore Hughes-Riley, a research fellow at the university who is developing the technology, said: “By lowering the risk of exposure to dangerous levels of vibrations, we can help improve the lives of thousands of construction workers around the world by helping prevent them develop what can become permanent industrial diseases.”
Tiny sensors are embedded into the fabric of the gloves
