A+A: Joachim Schäfer is the General Director of Messe Dusseldorf for A+A 2009, and his opening words emphasize the belief of A+A: the co-responsibility of safety at work. The fair, held from November 3rd to 6th, 2009, is exclusively dedicated to this sector and this will be the twenty eighth time the meeting point calls all experts in safety and health at work management. There is no other international tradeshow offering such a comprehensive, extensive programme as A+A, held every two years. Both the exhibition and the congress catalyze all energies and efforts focused on safety solutions, at times when the ISSA (International Social Safety Association) states there are still some 270 million accidents in the workplace, worldwide. The three major theme areas in A+A are: Personal protection (including the classics of A+A, namely personal protective equipment, Corporate Fashion, safe equipment, devices and facilities). Health in the workplace (health at work, environmental health, health when commuting, prevention, work and ergonomics). Operational safety (including protection against fire, environmental protection/Fokus ENVITEC, measurement and control technologies). Hazardous substances Innovation Park “Protection and safety at work is an issue that concerns all of us” For the first time, the “Innovationspark Gefahrstoffe” (Innovations Park: Hazardous Substances) will enrich A+A as a special area where visitors will be able to update their knowledge of hazardous substances in terms of new products, concepts and services. In this context, the UE REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals) and its immediate consequences on protection and safety at work is a relevant subject matter. Focus on ergonomic workstations Ergonomics in the workplace are “revisited”, as is health protection for the subject has gradually become a focus of attention for visitors to A+A throughout the years, especially in terms of offices and workstations. Ergonomics was bound to be a relevant issue for a study of the German Office Furniture Forum states that one out of three workstations in Germany lacks health protection standards. Protection and prevention against fire, a key issue This is in close relation to personal safety and security. Architecture and structure in buildings are the foundation for the most suitable protection of people, always seeking to minimize damage to both workers, visitors and – eventually – firefighters. The Industrial Firefighters Association (WFV) will have its own stand at A+A 2009. A number of drills and demos in Pavilion 6, conducted by WFV members, will show ideas and solu- tions for corporate protection against fire hazards. Personal protective equipment: quality and functionality are the keys. This is a classic area in this fair, now seemingly saturated, mostly in Wes- tern Europe for European manufacturers feel the pressure of lower prices for imported products sold in the continent. Corporate Fashion event The show will exhibit products, fabrics, materials and services for manufacturing clothes, and the Corporate Fashion Show will feature trends and innovations in terms of functionality. Visitors will be able to learn all about the latest development from a professional commentator. ASEPAL and ICEX promote the participation of companies at A+A “Sixteen Spanish companies in the personal protective sector will take part this year, under the “umbrella” group of Asociación de Empresas de Equipos de Protección Personal (ASEPAL). The number of participating companies at A+A has grown by 60% in comparison to the previous edi- tion at Düsseldorf (Germany)”, sources of ASEPAL report. Some 75 companies represent virtually all manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment products in Spain, along with major distributors. In spite of the financial crisis A+A is optimistic, and expects there will be more visitors than in 2007. This is because the event is one of the lea- ding fairs of its king in Europe, and companies are well aware of it. The support on the part of Instituto de Comercio Exterior (ICEX), coordinated by ASEPAL will total 30% of the investment made by companies, in various ways. “This is one of the services the Association gives member companies, and a number of certifying entities like AITEX, or inno- vative companies like Criogenius, who accompany PPE manufacturers and distributors in this business venture”, states ASEPAL. The three major theme areas at A+A are personal protection, health in the workplace, and operational security. The second pillar complemen- ting the fair is the XXXI A+A Congress, planned by the Federal Association for Safety and Health in the Workplace (Basi). The 2009 edition is planned under a motto: “Innovations for companies offering safety and health protection”. ASEPAL, promoting and contributing to the development of its members, will continue to support companies who participate in major fairs in the sector. This involves group participation at MILIPOL, to be held in Paris next November. A+A PANORÁMICA PRELIMINAR/ A+A PRELIMINARY OVERVIEW