[Andrés]

Intelligent Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) promises higher levels of safety and peace of mind in the workplace through the use of improved materials or electronic components. However, certain obstacles will need to be overcome for its efficient implementation in European workplaces. A new publication examines the opportunities and risks posed by these new technologies: https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/documents/Smart_personal_protective_equipment_intelligent_protection_of_the_future.pdf

Although organizational measures and collective protection should always be a priority, the use of PPE is becoming intelligent support. This article examines the emergence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the workplace. Smart PPE combines traditional means of protection with improved materials or electronic components, and can collect data about the user, the work environment, or their own use. Although these new technologies promise greater safety and well-being for workers, there are still many obstacles to overcome to ensure their effective use.

The article highlights the challenges associated parties face, such as the need to establish standards and an adequate testing and certification framework. It includes recommendations to help associated parties make the most of the potential benefits of smart PPE, underscoring the importance of collaboration between users and manufacturers in this area.

Source: https://prevencionar.com/2020/06/03/epis-inteligentes-el-futuro-de-la-proteccion-de-los-trabajadores/

[Elsa]

Thanks Andres for your input. Around this topic, I would like to draw the attention on the PPE in response of COVID-19. The main question is whether there is a strategic direction related with adoption of PPE for employees to solve global economic downtrends. Here a study that analyses how the originated issues have been identified with disruptive PPE supplies, R&D and tactical compliances of PPE adoption. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340246686_Use_of_PPE_in_response_of_coronavirus_COVID-19_A_smart_solution_to_global_economic_challenges

[Alexander]

Dear Andreas, thank you for bringing up this importnat topic. While searching for strategies on how to deal with disruptive PPE supplies I came across an article published by the american Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggesting possible approaches that could be also applied in the context of Europe. The article can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/strategies-optimize-ppe-shortages.html