Each year brings new aspects to the coatings industry. Projects become more complex, protective coatings become more sophisticated, and new tools are developed to tackle challenges, old and new alike.
As the coatings industry evolves, so, too, does safety gear — getting smarter, stronger, and more customizable. In today’s industry, technology and innovation are reshaping how we protect the workforce. These evolutions can be seen not just in emerging personal protective equipment (PPE) and protective head, hand, and footwear, but also through cross-industry collaborations and holistic training programs.
The construction and industrial sectors face unique challenges — from harsh environmental conditions to working at heights. As the risks grow, so does the responsibility to equip teams with the best protective solutions available. Yet, this responsibility goes beyond compliance — a safety-first approach supports both today’s workforce and that of tomorrow.
In this roundup, CoatingsPro Magazine explores the latest developments in the world of fall protection, PPE, and other critical safety equipment. From cutting-edge materials to integrated systems, let’s dive into the latest trends and product releases that are making worksites safer and more efficient.
Safety in Numbers
Collaboration and partnership are vital in advancing worker safety and health across industries. To this end, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) signed several memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in 2024 to further advance innovation in safety practices, research, implementation, and awareness.
The MOUs included alliances with three safety organizations — the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), and Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) — as well as a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
The society has a long-standing alliance with NIOSH, and the organizations have worked together over the years to cooperatively conduct and implement workplace safety research as well as promote best practices, professional development opportunities, and encourage employers to use safety and health management systems. The MOU extends their current alliance, allowing for this work to continue making progress.
On the other hand, the society’s alliances with ISEA and MCAA will usher in new opportunities to connect with safety professionals across industries and contribute to the development safety standards. By working with ISEA, one of the leading resources for PPE standards, industry insights, and product recommendations, the society will have the opportunity to connect with businesses and corporate leaders in the manufacturing, testing, and application of PPE and safety products.
Industry Collaborations
For example, ISEA recently welcomed Malta Dynamics — an established name in fall protection — as voting members sitting on the Standards Committees for PPE products. By joining ISEA, Malta Dynamics is positioned to collaborate with industry experts and innovators, such as ASSP, to shape the future of safety equipment standards.
“PPE products are at the core of every trade and are essential to most workplaces. We strive to make the best products in the world and look for partners in ensuring we do just that. Joining ISEA allows us to collaborate with other leading manufacturers and experts to put users first and develop products and standards that make working safely comfortable and efficient,” said Greg Brown, president of Malta Dynamics.
Working with MCAA will help the society reach more safety professionals in the construction and engineering fields. MCAA hosts one of the longest-running construction conferences, which offers in-demand training and education courses designed to improve workplace safety for mechanical engineers.
“We recognize the benefits of collaboration to improve occupational safety and health practices while elevating the voice of our profession,” said Pam Walaski, ASSP president. A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Fellow of American Society of Safety Professionals (FASSP), Walaski boasts a storied career dedicated to advancing workplace safety. Through this partnership, she will draw on her three decades of experience and the organization’s legacy to continue advancing health.
“Together we strive to strengthen advocacy efforts, implement programs, and create standards that reduce worker illnesses, injuries, and fatalities,” Walaski said of the new alliances. “Our mutual interests in improving the well-being of workers create valuable opportunities to work together. Our MOUs with a range of organizations enhance our ability to engage in more stakeholder meetings and safety education events throughout the year and expand the safety profession’s influence in optimizing organizational performance.”
The MOU with the USACE was signed at the Safety 2024 Professional Development Conference and Exposition in Denver, Colorado. The event brought safety professionals from across the country together to share knowledge, build community, gain new insights, and forge connections.
The 10-year agreement defines shared principles and aims to improve employee safety training, advance occupational health practices, and expand the use of safety and health management systems. It was signed by the two organizations on the first day of the event as part of their shared efforts to work toward better workplace safety for all.
Shared Mutual Interests
“Our mutual interests in enhancing the well-being of workers across the country create valuable opportunities to work together,” said Mark Atkins, USACE’s chief of occupational safety and health. “These shared principles can hopefully serve as a foundation for improving policies and processes that will ultimately save lives.”
“We share a strong commitment to workplace safety and health, so sharing our knowledge and expertise makes good sense,” Walaski added. The two organizations will not only share best practices, but they will work together to improve professional training and education, support relevant legislative issues, and develop voluntary national consensus standards, such as the EM-385 Health and Safety Manual.
The well-known and widely used manual references many American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and ASSP standards for fall protection, construction site safety, and demolition practices. Established in 1911, ASSP is the world’s oldest professional safety organization with 35,000 members advancing worker well-being and the safety and health profession
This is an excerpt from our 2025 Safety Roundup in CoatingsPro Magazine’s March 2025 print issue. The complete roundup article can be viewed here.
