PPE Innovations—What’s in It For You?
The safety industry continues to shift with the latest technology built to last.
- By John Heniff
- Aug 01, 2022
New developments in PPE technology are constantly being researched, created and released. But you may be tempted to ask what’s in it for you? If your PPE is working, why do you need an “innovation?” The answer: better protection, fewer injuries, increased comfort, easier compliance and happier workers.
Whether your workers want cut protection that feels comfortable, impact protection that is lean, or protection from the heat that will last for hours, new technologies can provide the defense and relief you may not have known existed! And the secret many people don’t realize is that many of these advancements make for more durable PPE that lasts longer and might even save you money over time.
High Cut Resistance in Light and Comfortable Gloves and Sleeves
Workers who wear standard cut-resistant gloves when handling small parts or using electronic devices may be tempted to take them off if they get in the way. This wastes time, decreases their productivity and puts them at risk of injury.
New materials have been developed to achieve cut resistance as high as ANSI Level A9 while still being comfortable and lightweight. These developments are used to create gloves and sleeves that are over 50 percent lighter than similar HPPE of the same cut level. They’re also specifically engineered to make a worker’s skin feel cooler within a featherlight and breathable shell that almost feels like a second skin.
How is this possible? Magid created a proprietary yarn that is lightweight yet stronger and more flexible than stainless steel. The resulting material’s dexterity and tactile sensitivity enables your workers to pick up and assemble small parts like nuts and bolts without taking their gloves off.
Lightweight Protective Clothing for Dangerous and Hot Industries
Older cut-resistant sweaters used for working in dangerous environments like glass plants were often made from materials that felt heavy and hot. Over time, they could also stretch out for a poor fit and wear out areas with higher abrasion risk like the abdomen.
PPE manufacturers have taken these problems into account to create new solutions so your workers no longer have to be uncomfortable or hot to stay protected. New technology along with the latest yarn-wrapping techniques create garments that are 30 percent lighter than similar garments and won’t trap as much heat against a worker’s body. Even with this lighter-weight and cooler design, these tops have a higher level of cut-resistance to protect your workers’ abdomen, neck, wrists and forearms.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.