Ausgabe zur A+A 2019

Ausg.Nr._18/2019 5 A+A 2019 A+A 2019: People Matter T he increasing level of international intercon- nectivity and networking is accompanied by new com- pany structures and production conditions. These in turn mean employees have to master new challenges. To do this success- fully, we need modern occu- pational safety and intelligent concepts. In future, more and more peo- ple will be working in networks worldwide and will perform as- signments in virtual teams, sup- ported by IT media. Employees will be independent of locations and fixed working times. The ex- perimental world of employment can be highly appealing to young talent thanks to flexible work structures. Production processes also increasingly organise them- selves independently, supported by decentralised IT intelligence and autonomous robotic systems. These can automatically adapt to external requirements such as unexpected process disruptions or changing demands, for exam- ple. With employees basically accessible around the clock, the risk of mental stress and illnesses increases; new technologies can also increase the individual’s con- trol. Profound structural changes and new forms of organisation offer opportunities to create work- ing conditions that are healthier and less stressful. A+A 2019, the global trade fair for safety, security and health at work, presents these opportunities and simultaneously keeps a keen eye on potential risks and necessary protection meas- ures. From 5 to 8 November, visitors from around the world will meet at the 36th A+A in Düsseldorf in order to gain an overview of new trends, products and legal provisions. As an international trade fairwith con- gress, A+A will once again build a bridge between scientific findings and practical applications whilst providing a platform for dialogues between politics and business. In- terest in the A+A topics personal safety, security and health at work remains strong. In 2019, the new Hall 1 will additionally be available for the trade fair. With this, we aim to fulfil the call for more presenta- tion space expressed by many ex- hibitors. We expect around 2,000 exhibitors. Around 69,000 visitors came to A+A 2017, 47 percent of which hailed from abroad. Com- panies and specialist shops from around the world will be present at the trade fair. The leading trade fair for occupational health and safety takes place every two years and addresses responsible parties in occupational health and safety management, HR officers and work councils, industrial specialist shops and purchasers, emergency services personnel from the fire brigade, the police, and relief and rescue organisations. Further tar- get groups are responsible parties in supervisory bodies as well as owners of small and medium-sized businesses. Even though A+A’s target groups and content are so diverse, they can be divided into three central fields: Safety, Security and Health at Work. Safety is still A+A’s core topic. All market leaders will once again be exhibiting at this year’s trade fair. The market for personal protec- tion equipment is booming. And for a variety of reasons. On the one hand, we see an increase in public safety awareness. The fact that working clothes are undergo- ing development with regard to functionality and are being en- hanced optically further supports this trend. In addition, an increase in environmentally friendly fair trade materials answer the call for more sustainability that many decision-makers have expressed. Another reason for the upwards trend is image wear. For example, more and more people see safety shoes that have been designed to look like sneakers and work trou- sers that look like leisurewear as a fashion statement. The second core A+A topic focuses on Security and protecting every single employee in a company or organisation. Objectives here are to provide protective measures in order to minimise risks for each employee and to guarantee techni- cal security of plants and buildings.  Text & Image: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH Messeplatz Stockumer Kirchstraße 61 D-40474 Düsseldorf 05.–08.11.2019