One trend evident at ASSE's Safety 2016 expo in Atlanta is products and services aimed at the "worker athlete."

Repetitive motion disorders and back and joint injuries in particular are the object of a knowledge transfer movement, with concepts and treatments used in physical therapy and sports medicine now being applied to ergonomics and an ergo-savvy worker.

Personal protective equipment on display at the expo is also picking up on the worker as athlete theme. Workers, just like athletes, need to be comfortable while performing; fatigue factors need to be reduced; and PPE ranging from footwear to gloves to FR clothing are becoming more stylish and sporty. Fabrics are lightweight and more flexible. Designs increasingly are wearer-friendly, so PPE does not interfere with performance.