Body Protection
This category includes any and all equipment worn on the body to prevent injury or accidents during the fabricating and machining process. Often referred to as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), this includes garments and other devices to protect the worker from cutting edges, high temperatures, electricity, radiation, toxic chemicals and fumes, and any other byproduct of the fabricating process that could be harmful to the human body. Along with garments, this category includes devices such as shields, static or mobile, meant to protect the body, along with systems that test, sterilize, and restore PPE after use around toxic contaminants.
Worker Wonder: Exoskelton Relieves Arm Fatigue

Comau’s MATE passive technology exoskeleton reduces muscle strain for operators at an Italian minibus factory. Many of its production tasks require personnel to continuously lift their arms, but with the aid of the easy-on wearable device, shoulder pain is now a thing of the past.
Comau’s MATE passive technology exoskeleton reduces muscle strain for operators at an Italian minibus factory. Many of its production tasks require personnel to continuously lift their arms, but with the aid of the easy-on wearable device, shoulder pain is now a thing of the past.
Wearable technology can improve worker safety and comfort and contribute to productivity. It’s no longer just smart watches and fitness trackers . . . wearable tech is set to become a factory essential.
The Smart Factory reduces insurance costs and increases productivity and profitability by investing in new systems with advanced technology to protect both workers and equipment. Here are some of the latest advances in protective equipment, safety automation and services, and more that can help make your shop become a safer workplace.
Millions of workers may be exposed to potentially harmful metals by using laundered shop towels that retain measurable levels of metals after commercial laundering.
The seat, backrest, and arms of the American-made Vyper Chair are adjustable. Additional features such as a footrest increase welder and fabricator comfort and productivity by correcting posture and reducing back strain.
Zoneworks EZ Employee Separation Barriers from Rite-Hite protect employees who can’t work more than 6 feet apart. Lightweight panels made of clear PVC are easily wiped down to further mitigate exposure to airborne viruses.
Palmer Wahl’s portable HSB50 Heat Spy can be used to verify the reading of hand-held infrared thermometers and thermal cameras and/or provide greater- accuracy measurements for thermal imaging temperature scanning systems.