Investigation of the effects of ultra-dry process atmospheres including human factors in battery production (ergoBATT)

Status:

ongoing

Aims:

The increasing use of renewable energies and the associated need for efficient energy storage solutions will lead to a sharp rise in jobs in battery cell production in the coming years, which in turn require the use of moisture-sensitive materials. For safety and quality reasons, these must be processed at very low humidity levels. However, there is currently little evidence on the effects on humans of working at relative humidity levels close to 0%.

Therefore, the aim of the project is to obtain reliable findings on the potential health, performance, and safety-related consequences of working in ultra-dry rooms, to test protective gear and measures, and, based on this, to develop guidelines for prevention and the design of work at these workplaces. Specifically, the following hypotheses are being tested:

Health effects: Ultra-dry process atmospheres (close to 0% RH) cause specific health problems, such as skin irritation, dry eyes, or respiratory problems, which can affect employees and impair their health and performance.

Performance-related consequences: Ultra-dry process atmospheres (close to 0% RH) affect cognitive abilities through health impairments or discomfort, leading to an increased susceptibility to errors in activities that require high levels of concentration.

Activities/Methods:

The project uses a multi-method approach across various parts of the study: Existing (scientific) data is compiled through a review and analysis of the general conditions: A Germany-wide, cross-sectional, anonymous online survey of people who regularly work in ultra-dry rooms is being conducted, focusing on exposure, accompanying circumstances, and health symptoms. An ambulatory assessment over 10 working days is carried out with employees in order to collect immediate and objective medical data on the health-related effects (especially on the eyes and skin) of the ultra-dry working environment. An experimental crossover study, in which participants must perform typical battery manufacturing tasks in three different humidity conditions, considers cognitive performance as the key outcome. Finally, various protective measures are tested, and all results are integrated into a guideline.

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