Tracy Haas Depa

From gas detectors and volatile organic compound monitors, to flame detectors and noise dosimeters, on-the-job instruments and monitors are designed to provide an extra layer of protection against unseen hazards.

If a worker becomes ill or experiences an injury on the job, chances are a co-worker or supervisor will see what’s going on and take action. Lone workers, however, don’t have the benefit of extra eyes on them.

In relation to the workplace, what does the term “wearables” mean? According to Safety+Health Associate Editor Alan Ferguson’s March 2019 article:

“In the safety world, ‘wearables’ can include ‘smart’ personal protective equipment, glasses with heads-up displays and hard hats with sensors. What most of these devices have in common is they give safety professionals and other employees a set of watchful eyes to help ensure the health and well-being of the workforce, particularly lone workers.”

Are you concerned about on-the-job hearing loss? It’s a common problem among workers in the United States. In fact, every year, roughly 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, according to NIOSH.

OSHA estimates that 5 million workers in 1.3 million workplaces are required to wear respirators. These devices protect workers from “insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors and sprays,” the agency notes, adding that compliance with its Respiratory Protection Standard “could avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses annually.”

Workplace eye injuries are a serious problem. According to PreventBlindness.org, more than 2,000 workers experience an eye injury on the job every day, and about 1 in 10 of these injuries require missed workdays. In addition, “of the total amount of work-related injuries, 10 (percent) to 20 percent will cause temporary or permanent vision loss,” the organization states.

From flame-resistant beanies and shirts to high-visibility vests and overalls, protective clothing is a wide-ranging category. Here, industry insiders describe innovations in the protective clothing industry, explain where employees make mistakes and how to correct them, and offer tips on staying safe.