Archives

RobotSweater may increase worker safety

August 31st, 2023

Bo Ying Su, a master’s student at Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) department of electrical and computer engineering, observes a robot wearing the RobotSweater. Photo: Carnegie Mellon University A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Robotics Institute, Pittsburgh, Pa., is working to increase employee safety with the RobotSweater, a covering for machines that detects […]

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The lighter side of OSHA

February 1st, 2023

When most of us hear the word “OSHA,” weinstantly conjure up images of ticket-writing cops invading our workplace. And these aren’t the $35 tags that grace our windshield when we linger in a parking spot too long. These citations can easily hit the four- or five-digit mark depending on the severity of the violation. Let’s […]

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2022 New Products Showcase Part 2

May 1st, 2022

Awnings, tents, shade sails, marine upholstery, protective gear, furniture: regardless of the end product, the fabric needs to perform in harsh conditions while looking good, keeping the planet green and fitting into a client’s budget. For our two-part annual showcase, we asked contributors to send us information about their latest high-performance textiles. We’ve organized the […]

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Gore invests in LifeBooster for smarter work gear

November 1st, 2021

W. L. Gore & Associates Inc. has invested in LifeBooster to develop smart safety apparel for industrial workers. LifeBooster’s smart, wearable technology assesses repetitive strain, thermal, posture and vibration risks. Illustration: LifeBooster. Workwear will get smarter—and potentially save more lives—through a partnership between W. L. Gore & Associates Inc. and wearable technology company LifeBooster. In […]

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Airbag pants aim to make motorcycle riding safer

April 1st, 2021

In development for three years, the CX Air Dynamics airbag pants are equipped with an air cartridge and a striker. The assembly is connected to the motorcycle with a cord. Photos: CX Air Dynamics. French startup CX Air Dynamics completed a successful crowdfunding campaign in early 2021 to help launch its airbag pants designed for […]

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Fashion design with reflective fabrics

November 1st, 2019

With a fashion-forward design, student Anna Schmidtke stretched the boundaries of how reflective material can be used in apparel. Photo: Safe Reflections Inc. Apparel design and development student Anna Schmidtke knows you don’t have to sacrifice style for safety. She demonstrated this principle in a design for the annual spring WEAR Fashion Show at the […]

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Animal care and protection

July 1st, 2019

As awareness heightens over the contribution that pets and other animals make to our lives, more attention is being paid to their comfort and well-being. by Pamela Mills-Senn Nobody ever really thinks about how swimming pools might affect frogs, toads, snakes, squirrels, mice and other small critters. Rich Mason, owner of Crownsville, Md.-based FrogLog®, didn’t […]

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Beanie hardens into a safety helmet

May 1st, 2019

Available in multiple styles, the revolutionary cap-helmet means snow skiers don’t have to sacrifice comfort and style for safety on the slopes. Photo: ANTI Ordinary. One of the quickest ways to get hurt downhill skiing is to skip the helmet. In fact, 88 percent of all snow sport-related deaths are due to head injuries, yet […]

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Growth in the inflatables market is coming from safety and protection

November 1st, 2018

Everybody knows about inflatables. They’re the bouncy houses rented for kids’ birthday parties, or the big blow-up gorilla that the local car dealership uses to attract customers. The real growth in the use of inflatable technology, however, is in much more serious (and practical) applications—even if they aren’t nearly as visible to most of us. […]

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Basic training principles for new and long-time tent installers

October 1st, 2018

Labor is a problem everywhere, with tent rental companies experiencing constant turnover and the need to train new installers. Desperate to fill out their crews, tent renters will often send new employees on the road for installations right off the bat, with training coming on the job from long-time employees. But just because a crew […]

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