This article looks at the emergence of smart personal protective equipment (PPE) for the workplace. Smart PPE combines traditional means of protection with enhanced materials or electronic components, and it may collect data on the user, the work environment or its own use. Although such new technologies promise greater safety and comfort for workers, there are still many obstacles that need to be overcome to ensure their successful use.
The article outlines the challenges that stakeholders face, such as the need to establish standards and an appropriate framework for testing and certification. It includes recommendations to help stakeholders make the most of the potential benefits of smart PPE, highlighting the importance of collaboration between users and manufacturers in this field.