Page 40 - IOSH JanFeb24_Full LR

THE PRACTICE PPE

production of lightweight, flexible and strong the upright position, and lumbar support in

PPE that protects the wearer from impacts lifting and manipulating heavy objects.
and cuts. ‘The main purpose of occupational
Nanofibres, produced by processes that exoskeletons is to reduce fatigue; however,

resemble 3D printing, deliver strength the scientific community is trying to collect
and porosity while being lightweight. Exoskeletons evidence that these technologies can reduce
As employers increasingly commit to in action the risk of work-related musculoskeletal
environmental standards, the use of recycled diseases,’ says exoskeleton expert Professor
materials is also becoming more common, Ford was an early adopter of Nicola Vitiello of the Scuola Superiore

as in the case of padding layers made from exoskeletons on the shop floor. Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy.
recycled plastic bottles. The carmaker, which introduced Markus Peters, a research associate at the
Adding digital technology to workwear them at its vehicle factories in German Federal Institute for Occupational

is increasingly seen as a way of further 2018 for production line staff, Safety and Health (BAuA), says there are
has reported a reduction in injury
improving safety. Monitors can detect the currently no long-term studies into the
incidents and says time lost to
presence of toxic chemicals; they can also give effectiveness of exoskeletons.

injuries is down by 75%.
advance warning when workers enter unsafe He adds: ‘For now, we cannot say if this will
Workers say the EksoVest, which
areas, such as a gaseous environment. be a technology that will change the working

fits workers up to 6ft 4in tall and
Research firm Fact.MR predicts annual provides lift assistance from 5lb environment. One issue with exoskeletons

smart PPE sales growth of over 14% in the to 15lb per arm, is comfortable, is that they have been developed for very

coming decade, taking its global market value lightweight and allows them to specific use cases – for example, overhead
from $3.65bn in 2023 to $13.7bn in 2033. move freely. work or if you’re lifting a heavy weight.

Despite its obvious benefits in managing ‘But real working shifts contain different
risk more effectively, smart PPE needs to be activities and if it hinders you from getting

well regulated, says EU-OSHA, to ensure that your job done and only gives, for example,
users are fully informed about the gear they Adel believes that wearable technology good support in 5% or 10% of your working
are using. has particular benefits when employees tasks you may decide not to use it.’

So what are the downsides? There is a are working in remote locations. GPS EU-OSHA, which is conducting its own
danger that it might lure users into a sense tracking, for example, can be invaluable if an evaluation of exoskeletons – as are standard-
of false security. However good PPE becomes, emergency occurs, ensuring that workers can setters in the US – says that they have the
people still need to be alert to risks. be located and guided to safety. potential to reduce the number of long-term
Then there is the question of privacy. If Wearables also offer a practical alternative strain injuries.

smart PPE tracks workers’ every movement, to blanket, whole-plant rules about PPE. ‘You
organisations must make sure they can be alerted to the fact that you are entering The future of PPE – the power
respect their rights under Europe’s GDPR a potentially hazardous area, and reminded to decide
data protection rules by only collecting, that you should put on your PPE. It’s about Adel says that as PPE evolves, OSH will have
processing and retaining essential data. taking a risk-based approach and treating to undergo a culture change. Workers will
Adel Lawson CMIOSH, managing director people like adults,’ Adel says. need to be trained about the PPE they use and
of Qatar-based Demoura Lawson Consulting, the risks it is intended to mitigate.
argues that there is a balance to be struck, but Exoskeleton crews ‘We are moving into a risk-based approach
wearable technology can play an important Musculoskeletal strain and injuries are thanks to innovation in technology. It’s going

role in OSH. well-known hazards and not confined to to be down to the individual to make a lot
‘People say it’s a bit Big Brother,’ he admits, workers whose jobs require heavy lifting. of the decisions based on their training and
‘but if you are thinking about occupational Supplementing the human skeleton with their experience. There will be a shift from
health, readings from these devices can external frameworks – exoskeletons – helps controlling and policing into more
highlight if someone is showing early signs make tasks more achievable and allows coaching and culture building.’
of a potential heart attack or experiencing workers to be more productive.
a potential stressful situation. So there are The most common uses of occupational
For references, see

significant benefits for the individual and the exoskeletons are overhead manipulation, ioshmagazine.com/
organisation alike.’ where workers have to have their arms in future-PPE
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