Revolutionizing plant safety: Innovations in PPE and technology
Plant safety technologies come in numerous forms and solve myriad challenges. Recent developments in personal protective equipment (PPE) address helmet fit and comfort, hands-free communication, and augmentation of physical abilities to avoid stress and strain. From an operational standpoint, advancements in lighting, safety switches, and access controls enhance workforce safety and efficiency. Moreover, modern safety solutions are advantageous in recruiting and retaining talent.
Wearable protection
Improved designs enhance safety helmet fit and function. The HighBar by Studson Type II safety helmet features a new mono-chinstrap system. Compared to conventional four-point nylon buckle systems, this buckle-free chinstrap can be tightened or loosened with a twist dial, even with heavy gloves, and it easily rotates up for stowing and down for use.
“Developing head protection that is comfortable and easy to wear for hours at a time is just as critical to offering effective 360-degree head protection,” observes Ryan Barnes, founder and CEO of Studson. The new HighBar-equipped version of the SHK-1 Full Brim and Standard Brim safety helmet “features an innovative chinstrap system designed to offer a more hygienic, consistent, and simple solution for achieving the perfect fit, ensuring enhanced comfort and safety for industrial workers on any job site.”
Patent-pending Armor smart safety glasses from Lucyd enhance worker safety and communication in industrial environments. Teams can communicate freely and hands-free using walkie-talkie style communication channels on their safety glasses. Instant, unlimited voice conferencing is enabled by sharing a channel number that users can join in real time.
“These glasses were specifically engineered to offer seamless, voice-activated access to AI tools and networks, making it easier for workers to stay connected while protected,” explains Joaquin Abondano, COO at Lucyd, an Innovative Eyewear business. “They empower industrial workers with hands-free AI capabilities and real-time connectivity, combining cutting-edge technology with personal protective equipment.”
Smart power suits enhance the wearer’s health and wellbeing. For example, Apogee series e-exoskeletons from German Bionic work together with a multitude of integrated sensors to actively support users when lifting, walking, and performing activities in a bent-forward position. A recent software update increased the performance of the e-exoskeletons to up to 80 lb (36 kg) of lifting support, along with better active walking assistance and smoother mode changes.
The e-exoskeletons and their operating system, German Bionic OS, are part of the company’s 360° Human Augmentation Platform. “The platform is designed to enhance everyday life, ensuring that each individual can achieve more with greater ease, comfort, and safety,” says Armin Schmidt, CEO and founder of German Bionic.
Operational safety
Proper, reliable lighting enhances work site safety, especially in harsh and hazardous environments. The industrial LED High Bay fixture series from Dialight now also includes a battery backup model, which keeps the fixture illuminated during power outages. Self-testing and diagnostics functionality, automatic testing capability, color-coded indicators for visual inspection, and a 10-year full-fixture warranty help to maintain safe operations and simplify upkeep.
"Our industrial-grade LED High Bay fixtures demonstrate Dialight's commitment to ensuring safety in the toughest environments, reducing maintenance needs, and providing reliable performance in hazardous areas like oil and gas or mining,” says Jon Rud, a vice president at Dialight.
A new version of the Square D VisiPacT heavy duty safety switch from Schneider Electric features a novel design focused on improved safety. Built for harsh environments, the new heavy duty safety switch (30-200 A) includes design enhancements directly based on customer feedback, notes Antonio Di Vaira, senior vice president of power products at Schneider Electric.
These include a standard viewing window to visually verify the switch position without opening the door; new ergonomic handle to accommodate a hook stick for safer operations; QR code for quick access to critical product information; touch-safe barriers to prevent accidental contact; and allocated spacing for customer-required labeling. “This switch ensures long-lasting performance while meeting the highest safety standards for critical applications,” adds Di Vaira.
For machine access control and management, the new Electronic-Key-System EKS2 from Euchner was designed with simple implementation, operation, and adjustment in mind. Template projects with predefined functions and data fields simplify system integration. The selection of a safe operating mode at the highest safety level is supported. Users can select a suitable project and simply configure individual parameters, rather than programming the entire selection of safe operating modes in the control system as was previously required.
