ABSTRACT
The digital MP/BM system resides in a battlefield context, meaning that under a systems perspective it is appropriate to extend the boundaries to encompass the physical conditions that affect operator performance with it. These physical conditions are the province of 'traditional Ergonomics' and cover temperature, air quality, aesthetics, noise and vibration. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations provides guidance on noise levels that are potentially harmful. The overriding air quality requirement is that 'the control room should be supplied with outdoor air in sufficient quantities to dilute internally generated pollutants'. Air quality does not have quite such a fixed subjective experience but air quality issues can result in smells and odours and in a general feeling of 'stuffiness'. Several techniques were employed to assess the subjectively felt air quality experience of personnel in both locations.
