A+A: Occupational safety in Industry 4.0
Networking is also making its way into occupational safety - as demonstrated by the numerous exhibitors at the International Trade Fair for Occupational Safety and Health in Düsseldorf from October 27 to 30.
One of the highlights at A+A was networked sensor technology. Data recorded by gas measuring devices, sound level meters and vital data meters, for example, are recorded in a central system. The safety officer thus has an overview at all times of which employee is in a potentially dangerous situation. If one of the values is in a critical range - such as the concentration of toxic gases in the air - measures can be taken immediately.
And intelligence is also making its way into safety glasses: A newly developed pair of safety glasses recognizes whether they are being worn correctly. Only if the wearer really has the goggles properly on his nose can he start his machine.
New materials and coatings are also finding their way into occupational safety products. In terms of protective items for individual parts of the body, protective clothing, and the highly fashionable workwear (corporate fashion), the trend is clearly that these also have emotional messages to send. Modern workwear has to look cool and is becoming more and more similar to the trendy outdoor clothing in terms of color and shape. A+A visitors were able to see this for themselves at the booths of the numerous quality suppliers.
Undoubtedly, despite all the fashion aspects, functional requirements remain extremely important. Modern "high-tech" textiles and materials ensure, for example, that special protective clothing for firefighters is particularly heat-resistant yet breathable and water-repellent. The suppliers therefore meet the "squaring" of the highest demands on the part of procurement decision-makers from the fire departments.
Record figures
This year, the trade show once again beat all its own records: over 65,000 trade visitors from all over the world traveled to Düsseldorf to find out about the latest trends from the 1887 exhibitors. This year's partner country was South Korea.
The organizers are also satisfied. Joachim Schäfer, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf: "A+A has once again confirmed its position as the leading international trade fair and congress event for safe and healthy work with new top figures on the exhibitor and visitor side. Beyond Europe, it sets impulses for the market and the political discussion."
The international A+A Congress, organized by Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Sicherheit und Gesundheit bei der Arbeit (Basi), attracted a good 5,000 participants in the 60 series of events with 350 speakers. The thematically diverse congress was accompanied by the high-level conference of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA).
The next A+A will take place in Düsseldorf from October 17 - 20, 2017.
