Honeywell Executives Discuss New Products, Safety Culture at NSC
In a panel discussion at the 2012 National Safety Council Congress & Expo on Oct. 22, Honeywell executives explained how the company's "culture of safety" approach aids employers and workers.
One of the largest exhibitors at the 2012 National Safety Council Congress & Expo is Honeywell, which has made several large acquisitions in recent years to become the world's biggest supplier of personal protective equipment. Several executives of Honeywell Life Safety held a press conference Monday to discuss their approach to product development and some of their newest products, as well as the state of safety around the world and how safety cultures can be brought up to world-class standards.
Their discussion, titled "Safety is No Accident: A Head-to-Toe Approach to Ensure Worker Safety," introduced products ranging from the Miller AirCore Harness, a fall protection harness described by a product manager as a "game changer for comfort," to a fall clearance calculator, Oliver brand leather safety footwear, the IQ Force Product Suite for managing a gas detection program, slimmer North respirator cartridges, and the ProWear Lift Front Hood for head protection.
Jack Boss, president of Honeywell Safety Products, and his colleagues explained how developing innovative products responds to an industrial market that is coming to resemble consumer markets: End users want products that are simple to understand and use, yet sophisticated and powerful in their operation, as well as being reliable, comfortable, and "cool."
"All of us have expectations for products that are different from what we've had in the past," explained Mark Levy, president of Honeywell Life Safety.
They also discussed safety trends in other regions of the world and product development for specific industries, including PPE for workers in the wind energy industry and oil & gas exploration and production.