What is Moisture Wicking? - Definition from Safeopedia

Moisture wicking is a process by which moisture is drawn away from the skin. Moisture wicking clothing allows the wearer to stay comfortable, cool, ... ALERT LearnMore|NASPCertificationProgram:ThePathtoSuccessHasManyRoutes.ChooseYours Dictionary Dictionary TermoftheDay Rash Arashisaalteringofskincolor,temperature,andoverallappearance.Arashcanaffectanypartofthebody,andcanbelocalizedtooneareaofthebodyorcanspreadtoseveraldifferentareas.Theycommonlylastone-twoweeks.Arashcanbeanailmentinitselforsymptomaticofanother... 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Moisturewickingisaprocessbywhichmoistureisdrawnawayfromtheskin.Moisturewickingclothingallowsthewearertostaycomfortable,cool,andinsulatedinconditionsthatcausethemtosweat.Moisturewickingfabricshavetwomaincharacteristics:QuicklytransferingsweattothetoplayerofthefabricQuicklydryingoutthesweattopreventthefabricfromsoaking SafeopediaExplainsMoistureWicking Moisturewickingworksontheprincipleofcapillaryaction-aphenomenonwheremoistureispulledoutorup.Moisturewickingfabricsaremadefromacombinationoftwotypesoffibers:Hydrophobic(waterrepelling)fibersHydrophilic(waterabsorbing)fibersTheIdealMoistureWickingFabricBlendThepreciseblendoffiberswillaffecttheeffectivenessoftheamoisturewickingfabric.Toofewhydrophilicfibersanditwon'tdoagoodjobofabsorbingmoisture.Toofewhydrophobiconesandthefabricwon'tbeabletopushthesweattothesurfacewhereitcandissipateandevaporate.Theideafiberblendis55%hydrophobicand45%hydrophilic(55/45).Thesameblendworkswellincoldconditions,suchaswinterwork.Inthatcase,however,themoisturewickingfabricshouldbewornasabaselayersothatthesweatcanthenbeabsorbedbythenextlayerofclothing,keepingthewearerdry.TheImportanceofMoistureWickingforPPETherearethreeconditionswheremoisturewickingfabricscanplayanimportantroleinkeepingworkerssafe:Hotenvironmentalconditions,suchasoutdoorworkonahotdayorindoorworkwithheat-generatingmachineryStrenuouslaborandextensivephysicalexertionWorkerswearingheavyorthicklayersofPPEandprotectivegearAlloftheseconditionscancauseworkerstosweatprofusely,whichmakesmoisturewickingfabricsveryuseful.Notonlydoesmoisturewickingkeepthewearerdryandmorecomfortable,italsohelpstheirbodyregulateitsinternaltemperature.Inotherwords,itallowsthemtonaturallycombatheatstressandreducetherisksofworkinginhighheat.Additionally,dampclothingcancontributetocoldstress.Alayerofmoisturewickingclothing,then,canimprovesafetyincoldconditionsaswell.ComplianceandComfortEmployersarerequiredbytheOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)toprovideadequatepersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)alongwithsafeworkingconditions.However,amajorcauseofstressanddiscomfortisbulky,non-breathableclothingthatputsworkersatagreaterriskforheat-andcold-relatedillnesses.Comfortableclothingnotonlykeepsworkermoralehigher,italsoencouragescompliance.Smartlayeringwithbreathable,moisture-wickinggarmentskeepsPPElightandcomfortable. RelatedQuestion WhatismoisturewickingandwhyisitimportantforFRknitapparel? Advertisement SharethisTerm Advertisement RelatedTerms MoistureVaporTransmissionRate HeatExhaustion Heatstroke Heat-RelatedIllness HeatSyncope RelatedReading HowtoSelecttheRightMoistureWickingFabricforYourJob 3WaysMoisture-Wicking,Flame-ResistantFabricsCanImproveWorkplaceSafety QUIZ:SafetyLeadershipSkills LastMinuteSeatsAreStillAvailableforthe2022EHSCongress EHSCongress2022IsTakingPlaceinBerlinonSeptember13-14 5WaystoEmpowerFrontlineWorkersandImproveIndustrialSafety Tags PPEHeatStressProtectiveClothing TrendingArticles SafetySigns SafetySymbolsandTheirMeanings PPE 12TypesofHandProtectionGloves(andHowtoChoosetheRightOne) EHSPrograms EverythingYouNeedtoKnowtoWriteAnEffectiveOHSPolicyStatement ConfinedSpace 7ThingstoConsiderBeforeEnteringaConfinedSpace Let'sMakeWorkplacesSafer! 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