Smart textiles can detect, react, and adapt to various stimuli; they offer promising perspectives in occupation health and safety (OH&S). The objective of this study was to identify technologies, solutions, and products based on smart textiles and flexible materials that could have an application in OH&S and provide a response to some of the current needs. The collection of information included three aspects: 1) technologies, solutions, and products involving smart textiles and flexible materials found in the literature over the period 2000-2016; 2) issues in OH&S associated with traditional textiles and flexible materials; and 3) current or foreseeable problems associated with the use of smart textiles and flexible materials in OH&S. Issues with traditional textiles and flexible materials in OH&S were cross-matched with technologies, solutions and products relevant to smart textiles and flexible materials. This allowed us to propose short, mid, and long-term developments that could provide a response to some of the current needs in OH&S. The analysis shows that smart textiles and flexible materials offer a promising response to current challenges observed with PPE used in OH&S. With manufacturing and R&D capabilities available in various countries, the feasibility of development of these solutions is very high.

Test methods for smart or electronic textiles (e-textiles) are critical to ensure product safety and industrial quality control. This paper starts with a review of three key aspects: (i) commercial e-textile products/technologies, (ii) safety and quality control issues observed or foreseen, and (iii) relevant standards published or in preparation worldwide. A total of twenty-two standards on smart textiles – by CEN TC 248/WG 31, IEC TC 124, ASTM D13.50, and AATCC RA111 technical committees – were identified; they cover five categories of e-textile applications: electrical, thermal, mechanical, optical, and physical environment. Based on the number of e-textile products currently commercially available and issues in terms of safety, efficiency, and durability, there is a critical need for test methods for thermal applications, as well as to a lesser degree, for energy harvesting and chemical and biological applications. The results of this study can be used as a roadmap for the development of new standardized test methods for safety & quality control of smart textiles.

As smart clothing is reaching a commercial level of maturity, the technology beyond bio-monitoring is being explored for other fields such as the automotive industry. In this case, the textile sensors integrated into a seat must remain contactless to allow for layer of clothing, seat cover, and such. The use of conductive textile materials is a key in creating an electromagnetic field which allow for contactless sensing. The data gathered by the bio-sensors can be used as prevention tool for detecting driver’s over-tiredness and stress or to monitor discomfort among passengers.