#Textiles & Apparel / Garment
Safety and health at work are main themes at Texcare International
Exhibitors present solutions for protection and comfort at work
Awareness of the significance of employee safety and health is increasing throughout Europe and companies are attaching growing importance to reliable, standard-compliant and ergonomic protective clothing, which makes a major contribution to accident prevention and helps cut the number of expensive working hours lost through illness. Moreover, professional and protective clothing designed specifically for wearing comfort also increases employee productivity by reducing the time needed to recover from physical stress. At Texcare International from 5 to 9 May 2012, research institutes and the manufacturing industry will present their latest developments in the field of ‘well-being and protection’ and, therefore, make a further contribution to increased efficiency at work.
Great comfort for a hard working life
Comfort is becoming an essential attribute of multi-functional protective clothing. In the past, the focus was on providing comprehensive protection against as many possible dangers at work as possible. Now, aspects such as moisture management, breathability, climate comfort and freedom of movement are growing in importance. The latest developments in the fibre, yarn and textile industry diminish the symptoms of physical stress by reducing to a minimum the feeling of ill-being caused by perspiration and an increased core-body temperature. Special mixtures, e.g., with the Lenzing FR modal fibre, make it possible to produce fabrics for modern protective clothing that combines good protection with a comfortable wearing climate. Additionally, the industry is working on further improvements to the elastic qualities of protective and professional clothing. Mechanical or fibre-based stretch characteristics increase the functionality, freedom of movement and overall comfort of the garment in everyday use.
Intelligent protective clothing
Members of certain occupational categories, e.g., the fire brigade and emergency services, face great dangers in their work. Measures along the entire textile chain have led to a continuous improvement in the degree of protection offered by protective clothing. Research institutes and garment manufacturers are working in the field of ‘intelligent clothing’ and, through the integration of electronic systems, aim to provide greater support for these workers in their dangerous jobs. For example, setting parameters, such as temperature and hazardous air-borne substances, as well as measuring the wearer’s physiological signals, will help emergency workers recognise dangerous situations at an early stage and, therefore, avoid accidents. Controlled light signals improve visibility under dangerous circumstances, such as darkness, rain and fog. New ideas are also being introduced for reflective clothing. They come from the field of integrated electronic systems and self-luminous or luminescent fibres or coatings.
Multi-functional or specific protection Several protective-clothing systems combine a broad spectrum of protective functions and thus meet the requirements of up to eight of the following standards at the same time: EN 340, EN 343, EN 471, EN 1149-5, EN ISO 11611, EN ISO 11612, EN 13034 und EN 61482-1-2. In a parallel development, companies put together collections with the aim of providing a range of perfectly harmonised protective functions. They combine, for example, heat / flame protection with welding and electric-arc protection and anti-static qualities. Or they integrate weather protection with reflective and / or a degree of chemical protection. The two different approaches have a common objective – to create the highest degree of protection in the hazardous areas. Which way is the best? High protective classes or as many different protective functions as possible?
