International Safety Equipment (ISEA) is the new name of the nation''s trade association for manufacturers of equipment and clothing to protect workers.
ISEA was founded in 1933 as the Industrial Safety Equipment Association.
In recent years, the association had de-emphasized the word "industrial," recognizing the importance of safety equipment wherever people were doing work, on the job or at home.
The transition was completed in July when the membership overwhelmingly approved the name change.
"Substituting ''international'' in the name was natural," said ISEA President Dan Shipp. "Safety equipment today is a global business. We have member companies based outside the United States, others whose corporate parents are global companies, and many U.S.-based members with significant operations around the world. Their products are used worldwide."
Additionally, the association is seeking active participation on international standards bodies, and it recently published a global product standards database for safety equipment.
"The name International Safety Equipment Association reflects the realities of today''s marketplace and also maintains a set of initials recognized and respected for nearly 70 years by manufacturers, marketers, users, government officials and safety and health professionals," said Shipp.
Arlington, Va.-based ISEA represents more than 80 manufacturers of safety and personal protective equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protectors, work gloves and shoes, respiratory protection, fall protection gear, high-visibility and protective apparel, first-aid kits, emergency eyewashes and showers, and warning devices.
by Virginia Sutcliffe