A Color Analysis on Working Clothing in Domestic Machine and Heavy Industry

Abstract

The objective of this research is to the enhance the color function of work clothing : to research and analyze the hue and tone of work clothing colors to be used for machinery and heavy industries in national industrial complexes, Through this research, the color using problems which related with safety workers will be revealed. For this project, total 42 sets of work suits were sampled from 12 different companies in the machinery and construction industries in the national industrial complexes of Gyeongsang Namdo Province and 16 sets of work suits currently being sold in the market. The collected work suits samples were classified according to item types and design. Color measurements were taken thus: After calibration according to ASTM D1729 specifications of standardized configuration settings to match standardized luminous source D65(Daylight 6500K) in color cabinet BOTECK SuperLight-Ⅵ, the RGB values of the work suits were calculated using PANTONE Color Cue TX. The RGB values of the colors thus derived were converted into V/C values using the Munsell Conversion 9.0.6 and analyzed with Munsell's 10-color system and PCCS. The results were presented according to Munsell's color wheel and color and brightness distributions were expressed in table form, as well as presented as a tone map. Following analysis, color hue distribution was found to be concentrated around PB, and brightness distribution toward the low end and mid range of the scale. Saturation values were distributed mostly around the low end of the scale. Following color tone analysis according to PCCS, it became apparent that colors were mainly distributed around dkg, ltg, and g, at low- and mid-brightness and low-saturation. Therefore, it may be concluded that colors used in work suits in the machinery and heavy industries are mainly cool colors, at low- and mid-brightness and low saturation. It is conjectured that such colors were applied uniformly in the workplace in order to serve certain functions, such as concealment of stains and contamination. Therefore, it follows that the utilization of colors, among other functions served by working clothings, must be taken into consideration in order to enhance safety and efficiency.