Ergonomics and Materials Technology: The Case of the Uniform of the Cycle Couriers in the City of Recife–Pernambuco/Brazil

This article brings the partial result of the dissertation of the Postgraduate Program in Design of Federal University of Pernambuco, in the line of research Design, Ergonomics and Technology, which aims to propose improvements for professional clothing in outdoor environments, in order to promote comfort and well-being to the cycle couriers of the Brazilian Company of Posts and Telegraphs (ECT/Correios) in the city of Recife - Pernambuco. The problem analyzed was the relationship between the mechanical properties of the textile material selected for the uniform and the ergonomic problems related to the task of the cycle couriers of the postal company, through ergonomic appreciation and laboratory textile analyses. The research procedures were based on some steps of the OIKOS (Martins, 2019) and SHTM (Moraes e Mont’Alvão, 2012) methodologies. As a result, a strong relationship was verified between the mechanical properties of the fabric used in the uniform and the ergonomic problems regarding displacement and interface, as well as physical-environmental, natural and chemical problems, and problems related to occupational accidents, configuring itself as a possible point of contribution of design regarding the selection of materials for wearable pieces, specifically for uniforms for use in outdoor environments with active mobility of the users.