A+A 2015 to address key health and safety issues

A+A started in the year 1954 as an event for “Safety and Medicine at Work” and has developed into a leading international meeting point for health and safety at work. A wide range of topics such as health, safety and ergonomics will be discussed at the four-day event, in addition to 60 events with 350 speakers- all of who are experts in the field of health and safety practice, policy and research.

Joachim Schäfer, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf, said, “People are the most important, and at the same time, they are the most fragile elements within a company. Therefore, safety at work and all measures of action with the objective of maintaining the work force are important topics and, in the light of the change taking place within the working world, the topic is more current than ever. New technologies are featured in companies, the consolidation of work is making progress. Demographic change is resulting in ageing workforces and consequently, labour shortage is already evident now in several industries. In light of these challenges, companies must have their own interest in safe and health-maintaining working conditions beyond existing legal requirements and they will immediately profit from related investments.”

Current data from the Federal Agency for Industrial Safety and Occupational Medicine, (BAuA) show how important it is to deal with occupational hazards and concerns in an appropriate manner. According to this, noise-induced hearing loss, muscle and skeletal diseases – primarily of the lumbar spine (caused by lifting or carrying things incorrectly) – as well as diseases of the respiratory system are among the most frequent types of illnesses in occupational contexts in Germany. However, the relevance of such diseases and conditions are high in many regions and countries outside of Germany as well.

At A+A 2015, various themes will be covered such as – Safety at Work, Security at Work, Health at Work and Corporate Fashion. In addition, a joint event stage for the areas of Corporate Health and Workplace Design will offer a programme with practice-oriented short lectures, presentations and discussions on all days of the event. Furthermore, a special show, Workplace Design will display products as well as ergonomic production and office solutions into the spotlight.

Fashionably corporate
In view of the largest A+A themed area for personal protection equipment (PPE) with more than 900 exhibitors, the fusion of fashion and functionality can be seen as a major trend. Over the years, protective clothing has merged with modern workwear. At A+A 2015, around 60 exhibitors will feature corporate fashion as their main focus. A total of around 180 exhibitors will present corporate-fashion related articles and services. Not only will the range of exhibitor offers be mentioned, but also system providers (full-service providers) as well as suppliers of fabrics and materials for textile manufacturing.

A+A is a biennial event. In 2013, there were more than 1,600 exhibitors and more than 63,000 specialist visitors from 69 nations. In 2015, organisers estimate around 1,800 exhibitors will be spread across 65,000 sqm of booked floor space. Nine halls will be occupied at the Düsseldorf Trade Fair Center Exhibitors for the field of personal protective equipment (including corporate fashion).

South Korea is partner country for A+A 2015
The partner country of A+A 2015 is South Korea, which is considered a leader by experts in the field of occupational hazard prevention and has been involved in numerous projects supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). In addition, South Korea has a workforce exceeding 24mn, making it a lucrative market from a supplier’s point of view.