Protection encompasses various measures and technologies aimed at actively ensuring worker safety by addressing identified workplace risks and hazards. Such solutions are designed to limit exposure to harmful conditions, prevent injury, and mitigate health risks. Examples include PPE such as helmets, gloves, masks, and protective clothing, as well as engineered systems like safety barriers, ventilation setups, and ergonomic tools that enhance workplace safety.
To build this analysis and create the patent dataset, we have divided the Protection category into nine main technology areas:
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Respiratory protection technologies: Respiratory protection equipment, such as masks and respirators, is vital in environments with airborne contaminants, ensuring workers' respiratory health.
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Hearing protection technologies: Hearing protection devices, including earplugs and earmuffs, are essential in noisy environments to prevent hearing loss.
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Personal protection equipment: PPE such as helmets, gloves, and safety glasses provide physical protection against a variety of hazards.
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Thermal protection equipment: Thermal protection gear is designed to safeguard workers from extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold.
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Mechanical safeguards: Mechanical safeguards, such as guards and barriers, are implemented to prevent accidents and injury when operating machinery.
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Ventilation and filtration systems: Effective ventilation and filtration systems help maintain air quality and reduce exposure to harmful substances in the workplace.
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Ergonomic workspaces: Designing ergonomic workspaces minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and enhances overall worker comfort and productivity.
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Fall protection: Fall protection systems, including harnesses and guardrails, are critical in preventing falls in construction and other high-risk environments.
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Wearable devices: Wearable safety devices monitor workers' health and environmental conditions, providing real-time data to enhance safety measures.
This chapter is structured into three main parts:
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Global patent landscape: A broad analysis of the global Protection patent landscape is conducted, publication trends examined, the most innovative regions or countries identified, and key players driving advancements in the field of Protection technologies profiled.
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Focus on international patent families (IPFs): Focusing on IPFs allows the detection of the technology trends that companies consider valuable enough to internationalize and seek protection in overseas markets. Such a focus emphasizes those areas in which significant investments are being made, indicating promising channels for innovation and potential market returns.
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Benchmark inventions: Lastly, specific patents that illustrate the field particularly well are highlighted. These examples showcase the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of Protection.
This multi-faceted approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of how Protection technologies are evolving within the OHS domain and provides actionable insights into the technological strategies shaping workplace safety.
Global patenting landscape
The Protection technologies category is the largest OHS category, with 280,686 patent families, representing around 62% of the all OHS-related inventions. 45,867 of these are classified as international patent families (Figure 6.2).
Patenting activity measures the annual number of patent families published within a specific sector, based on the first publication date, which generally occurs about 18 months after the filing date. Examining patenting activity offers key insights into the innovation trends within a particular field.
The dataset analyzed comprises 280,686 patent families related to Protection technologies. Figure 6.3 shows that between 2018 and 2023, this field has experienced fluctuating annual patent publication trends, with a peak of 29,846 families published in 2021 corresponding to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for this period is approximately -1.3%, reflecting a slight overall decline in filing activity over time , despite strong interest at certain periods.
The data highlights that, while the overall growth rate has declined slightly, the field remains dynamic. The peak publication years underscore ongoing investment and innovation aimed at enhancing workplace safety through Protection technologies.
Top jurisdictions
Analyzing patent families provides valuable insights into which countries are driving innovation in a particular field. Typically, the first filing of a patent family (known as the priority filing) is made in the applicant's country of origin. This is influenced by legal frameworks and cost considerations, making the location of the priority filing (office of first filing) a strong indicator of where innovation is actively taking place.
In the field of Protection, Asia is again the main region (Figure 6.4) accounting for almost 82% of all patents. The United States accounts for almost 95% of the filings from the Americas (11.4% of all Protection patents), followed by Europe.
This geographical distribution emphasizes the key role that Asia, and especially China, plays in the development of technologies for Protection technologies. The leading presence of Chinese innovations highlights the region's strong commitment to advancing workplace safety technologies, while contributions from other areas, such as the United States and Europe, show comparatively lower levels of activity.
The Relative Specialization Index (RSI) is used to compare the published patenting activity of different countries within the same technology area. RSI is a measure of a country's share of patent families in a particular field of technology as a fraction of that country’s share of patent families in all fields of technology. ln other words, RSI has the advantage of providing a comparison between the patenting activity of two countries relative to overall patenting activity of this same two countries. When analyzing patent data, normalized RSI is used
Initially India showed strong specialization but experienced a gradual decline over recent years. China, despite early prominence, has seen its RSI value decrease significantly after 2015. In contrast, Canada, the United States and the Republic of Korea have maintained a steady RSI value, indicating consistent relative specialization in this field. Japan shows the lowest and most stable RSI value, reflecting a limited focus on this domain. Overall, the data suggest a weakening specialization for leading countries like China and India, while other regions are maintaining a steadily moderate focus.
Periodic patent growth in Protection technologies reveals varied trends across countries. China and India lead with strong growth, particularly during the mid-period, but whereas India has sustained a high momentum, China experienced a decline after 2020. Northern America, Europe, and Japan showed slow, incremental growth before facing a noticeable downturn over recent years. The Republic of Korea has maintained moderate growth but has also seen a slight decline more recently. Overall, India stands out as a consistent driver of innovation, while other regions, including historically strong players like China and the United States, show activity decreasing over recent years.
Analyzing the global coverage of patent families provides important insights into the key markets that companies target for their innovations. Companies typically focus on obtaining patent protection in regions they consider vital for securing market presence and maintaining a competitive edge.
In the field of Protection, China dominates the global market landscape with an impressive 120,912 patent families, far outstripping the second largest market, the United States, which protects 28,778 patent families. The Republic of Korea follows with 17,235 patent families, and the EPO accounts for 15,776 protected patent families. Other important market countries include Japan with 12,596 patent families, Germany accounting for 10,495 inventions, and India with 7,221.
Figure 6.7 highlights the dominant position of China in terms of attractiveness, accounting for a significant share of global activity. The United States ranks second, while the Republic of Korea, Japan and Europe represent important but comparatively lower protection jurisdictions.
Top patent applicants
Examining the patent applicants in this area affords a comprehensive overview of those companies and organizations driving innovation and actively seeking to protect their technological advancements. This analysis identifies the key players contributing to the development of Protection solutions and spotlights their commitment to securing IP rights for their inventions. Figure 6.8 highlights Asia’s dominant positionwith many of the top patent applicants in Protection technologies coming from the region.
Gree tops the ranking with 1,586 patent families, closely followed by Samsung Electronics, with 1,315 patents. Midea (1,223), Haier (1,119), State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) (905) and Apple (823) are also notable contributors.
Technology companies including Sony, LG, Huawei and Alphabet (Google) also feature in the list of top patent applicants and have shown solid patenting activity, contributing to innovation in Protection technologies, but not to the same extent as the top filers.
In OHS Protection technologies, several companies exhibited notable growth from 2014 to 2023. Goertek led the field with a CAGR of 53.6%, closely followed by Haier at 53.5% and Shanghai Zhongfa Environmental Protection Technology at 36.6%. In contrast, Microsoft saw the steepest decline at –6.9%, with Honeywell down –6.3% and Alphabet falling –4.1%, underscoring the divergent trajectories in patenting in Protection technoloiges over this period.
In conclusion, Chinese entities are the primary drivers of innovation in the field of Protection, as evidenced by the significant patent contributions from industrial leaders like the Gree and State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). This increasing patenting activity highlights a thriving collaboration within China’s innovation ecosystem. This strong foundation has positioned China as a global leader in advancing technologies aimed at enhancing workplace safety and accident protection.
International patenting landscape
This section highlights the importance of examining International Patent Families (IPFs) to gain valuable insights into technological developments. IPFs hold particular significance as they represent inventions for which applicants have pursued patent protection in multiple countries. This action reflects both the perceived value of the invention and the applicant's intention to deploy the technology on a global scale.
IPF growth and development
Figure 6.3 highlights a clear divergence between domestic-only patent filings and IPFs in the field of Protection technologies. While the total number of patents has shown consistent growth, particularly after 2018, the share of IPFs as a percentage of total patents has steadily declined from 29% in 2004 to 11% in 2023, as shown in Figure 6.10. This indicates that the majority of recent patenting activity is concentrated in local filings, with fewer inventions being pursued for international patent protection.
Meanwhile, the number of IPFs has remained relatively stable. This stagnation suggests a plateau in globally impactful innovations within OHS Protection, because companies may be prioritizing localized solutions over global expansion. The limited growth in IPFs contrasts sharply with the surge in total patent filings, underscoring a focus on meeting regional demands rather than driving internationally significant technological advancements.
While China’s explosive patenting activity bolsters the total numbers, fewer inventions are being pursued for international protection. This suggests a focus on addressing domestic challenges and markets, with limited emphasis on extending these technologies to a broader global scale.
Despite a decline in the ratio of IPFs, a stable absolute numbers indicates a continued emphasis on high-value inventions with a global potential.
IPF top jurisdictions
Figure 6.11 shows the geographic distribution of patent families in the domain of Protection technologies, revealing definite regional priorities.
The United States leads by a significant margin, with 20,954 patent families, followed by followed by the EPO at 15,776 and China, with 14,160 filings.
Other notable regions include Germany and Japan, with 9,329 and 9,324 filings respectively, further emphasizing their role as key players in advancing workplace safety technologies. In the mid-range, countries like the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and France show a substantial contribution, with patent filings ranging from 5,632 to 6,783.
The IPF data underscores the strategic efforts of patent applicants in targeting leading markets for IP protection, with the United States, Europe, China, Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea standing out as key destinations. These regions and countries are prioritized for having a strong technological ecosystems and significant commercial opportunities. Germany, in particular, plays a prominent role within Europe. Additionally, the data highlights China’s dual approach, wherein a strong emphasis on domestic patent filings contrasts with a more selective strategy for international extensions, balancing local market needs with global aspirations.
IPF top patent applicants
The OHS category of Protection technologies is dominated by corporate entitites, with Figure 6.12 showing that 88% of IPFs come from the corporate sector. Conversely, academic applicants account for only 5% of all patents applicants, contributing to just 4% of IPFs, indicating limited involvement from the academic sector in this domain.
Among the key patent applicants, Figure 6.13 shows that Samsung Electronics holds the largest portfolio, indicating a broad scope of protection and a strong presence in the field. Apple also maintains a prominent position, reflecting a significant investment in relevant technologies. Other major contributors include Sony, 3M, and Meta Platforms, each showing considerable patenting activity.Companies such as Seiko Epson, LG, and Huawei hold substantial portfolios as well, suggesting focused efforts in specific technological areas. Microsoft and Honeywell also appear among the leading applicants, pointing to consistent engagement and potential strategic interest in the domain.
The Protection sector is marked by a diverse array of players, with established giants like Apple, Samsung Electronics, and Honeywell International leading with extensive patent portfolios and broad protection strategies. These companies demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation in the field. Meanwhile, players like Google, Microsoft, Seiko Epson and 3M Innovative Properties show varied approaches, ranging from diversified technological reach to a more focused, specialized effort. This mix of established leaders and niche innovators reflects the sector's maturity and the evolving strategies that different companies are employing in order to address the complex challenges of occupational safety.
IPF main technologies
Segmentation by technology area highlights several key cross-cutting trends between 2018 and 2023:
Ergonomic workspaces (21,241 IPFs): The filings in this technology area remained stable between 2018 and 2020, but there was a significant peak in 2022, followed by a sharp decline in 2023. This suggests a strong burst of innovation in 2022, which then tapered off.
Personal protection equipment (7,422 IPFs): This technology area exhibited a stable trend over time, with filings consistent without any large fluctuation, indicating steady innovation in this area.
Ventilation and filtration systems (6,611 IPFs): This technology area experienced a sharp increase in patent filings between 2020 and 2021, followed by a noticeable decline starting in 2022. This trend suggests a surge in innovation during the pandemic, followed by a reduction in filings post-2021.
Respiratory protection technologies (5,334 IPFs): Similar to ventilation and filtration systems, these technologies saw a sharp increase in filings between 2020 and 2021, followed by a decline in 2022 and 2023, reflecting the COVID-19 pandemic's initial impact and subsequent reduction in filings.
Hearing protection technologies (2,596 IPFs): There was moderate growth in this area over time, suggesting ongoing but slower innovation relative to more dynamic technology areas.
Fall protection (1,990 IPFs): This technology area showed minimal variation, indicating steady but limited innovation in comparison to other technology areas.
Wearable devices (1,639 IPFs): Similar to hearing protection technologies, wearable devices experienced moderate growth, indicating a consistent focus on innovation but at a slower pace than other technology area.
Mechanical safeguards (1,279 IPFs): This technology area displayed a stable trend with no significant fluctuations in patent filings, reflecting steady innovation in the field.
Thermal protection equipment (819 IPFs): This technology area showed minimal variation, suggesting a relatively low level of innovation compared to others in the field.
Overall trends reveal a mix of sharp increases in filings, particularly in 2021 due to external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a decline over recent years. Some technology areas, such as PPE and mechanical safeguards, have demonstrated steady, ongoing innovation with little fluctuation in filings over time.
Benchmark inventions in Protection technologies
Main technologies and application fields
To gain a deeper understanding of the technological approaches in the OHS Protection category, the dataset of related simple patent families has been segmented into the nine distinct technology areas listed below in descending order according to number of patents:
Ventilation and filtration systems: Dominating the field with 87,042 patent families, these technologies focus on maintaining air quality and reducing exposure to harmful airborne substances in the workplace.
Ergonomic workspaces: With 62,618 patent families, this technology area emphasizes designing workspaces that minimize the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and enhance overall worker comfort and productivity.
Personal protection equipment: Encompassing 55,517 patent families, this technology area includes PPE such as helmets, gloves and safety glasses, designed to shield workers from physical injury and hazards.
Respiratory protection technologies: Featuring 35,586 patent families, this technology area focuses on equipment like masks and respirators, which play a crucial role in safeguarding workers’ respiratory health in environments with airborne contaminants.
Fall protection: Representing 19,552 patent families, this technology area includes systems such as harnesses and guardrails, which are vital in preventing injury caused by falls in high-risk environments like construction.
Hearing protection technologies: With 16,614 patent families, this technology area provides solutions such as earplugs and earmuffs to protect workers’ hearing and prevent damage in noisy work environments.
Wearable devices: Totaling 9,855 patent families, this emerging technology area features wearable safety devices that monitor workers' health and environmental conditions in real time, enhancing workplace safety measures.
Mechanical safeguards: Accounting for 5,754 patent families, these innovations include guards and barriers designed to prevent machinery-related accidents and injuries.
Thermal protection equipment: The smallest technology area, with 5,015 patent families, focuses on protective gear that shields workers from extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold.
Patent filings in the OHS Protection category demonstrate a clear peak in 2021 across most technology areas, likely driven by increased focus on health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Technologies such as ventilation and filtration systems, respiratory protection technologies, and PPE underwent dramatic growth during the period in question, reflecting the urgent need for innovative solutions to address workplace hazards. However, from 2022 onward, a noticeable decline in patent filings occurred across most technology areas, suggesting either a shift in priorities, a reduced urgency or market saturation in certain areas. Despite this decline, some technology areas, such as mechanical safeguards and wearable devices, maintained a relatively steady filing rate, indicating an ongoing interest in these areas. This trend highlights the dynamic nature of innovation in workplace safety, heavily influenced by external factors and changing priorities over time.
Patent filings in the OHS Protection category reveal significant sectoral differences in terms of innovation trend between 2018 and 2023. The construction and manufacturing sectors dominated in terms of volume, peaking in 2021, likely driven by heightened safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a noticeable decline by 2023. Agriculture, logistics, and services sectors showed steady but moderate growth, with a slight drop post-2021, indicating sustained yet less dynamic innovation. Meanwhile, healthcare exhibited volatility, with a sharp rise to 2021, but a significant decline reflecting fluctuating priorities. The mining sector maintained relatively steady growth throughout, reflecting its consistent focus on safety improvements. These trends highlight the varied impact of external factors and sector-specific needs on occupational safety innovation.
Example patents
The examples that follow have been chosen because considered particularly representative of the field.
Patent WO2016/022351, assigned to Summit Glove, focuses on a protective article designed to enhance safety for various body parts through innovative design features. It highlights the claims made regarding the article's structure, applications, advantages, and the specific materials utilized in its construction.
The primary objective of this invention is to create a protective article that enhances user safety across multiple applications, such as gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads. It aims to protect against heat and impacts, while ensuring comfort and usability, making it ideal for industrial, sporting, and everyday use.
Patent EP3058264, filed by Robert Bosch, outlines the features and advantages of a novel injury protection device designed for operators of power tools, particularly focusing on its integration within clothing to enhance safety. The device employs advanced sensor technology to monitor personal parameters and automatically deactivate power tools when predefined safety thresholds are breached, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and injuries in industrial and construction environments.
The object of the invention is to provide a safety mechanism for operators of power tools, particularly in industrial or construction settings. It aims to monitor the operator's physical state and environmental conditions to prevent injuries through automatic tool deactivation. The device is applicable in various scenarios where power tools are used, enhancing operator safety and reducing the risk of accidents.
Summary of Protection technologies
The Protection category reflects a mix of dynamic growth and steady innovation across its technologies, influenced by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and sector-specific needs. Key technology areas like ventilation and filtration systems, and respiratory protection technologies experienced sharp increases during the pandemic, while technology areas such as personal protection equipment (PPE) and mechanical safeguards displayed consistent, ongoing innovation. China leads global patent filings, driven by localized solutions, while global leaders like Apple, Samsung, and Honeywell emphasize diverse and expansive portfolios. This patent landscape highlights the interplay between immediate safety demands, regional priorities, and sustained investment in technologies to enhance workplace safety worldwide.