In addition to the impact of heat on cardiovascular behavior, the thermoregulatory mechanisms of the human body under thermal stress and the physiological changes they imply can alter the functions of several organs related to the absorption and chemical metabolism. According to studies conducted in the United States, thermal and physiological stress during interventions is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular accidents, which are the most common cause of death among firefighters. For some professions, such as firefighters, the interaction between high physical exertion and heat is the main cause of death. As a result, thermal stress can directly alter operational capacity, both by decreasing work tolerance and by requiring changes in work schedules, such as longer rest and recovery breaks. This review provides an overview and opinions of authors on the current state of knowledge on these types of technologies by reviewing and discussing the state of the art of commercially available systems and the advances made in previous research works.Įxposure to extreme temperatures can also temporarily reduce work capacity and affect productivity. Thus, the skills of smart protective equipment can contribute to the reduction of errors and the number and severity of accidents in the workplace and thus promote improved performance, efficiency, and productivity.

Interconnected sensors and actuators that interact and react to existing risks can provide the wearer with increased safety, protection, and comfort. Being based on conductive and functional polymeric materials, smart textiles can detect many external stimuli and react to them. However, many of these problems can be overcome with the use of smart textile technologies that enable intelligent thermoregulation in personal protective equipment. Due to the incompatibility of the existing standards implemented in some workplaces and the lack of thermoregulation in many types of protective equipment that are commonly fabricated using various types of polymeric materials, thermal stress remains one of the most frequent physical hazards in many work sectors. A poorly acclimated worker may have lower performance and vigilance and therefore may be more exposed to accidents and injuries.

The exposure to extreme temperatures in workplaces involves physical hazards for workers.

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