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WEIMA June 2023 Leader
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Altendorf HAND GUARD wins coveted Safety Award 2021

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Photo: Altendorf
Altendorf HAND GUARD wins safety.



Altendorf has won the coveted German Occupational Safety Award 2021 for its HAND GUARD safety system.
With HAND GUARD, Altendorf has succeeded in providing the leading international innovation for circular saw safety systems. The safety system for this product category is a milestone in occupational user safety. It prevents injuries caused by workplace accidents and has been awarded the renowned German Occupational Safety Award 2021 in the ‘Operational’ category.
Germany records about one accident per day involving a circular saw and that was reason enough for Altendorf, as the creator of the circular saw, to develop more innovative and reliable safety systems and revolutionize them with HAND GUARD.
The globally unique, patented HAND GUARD early warning system is fitted with two camera systems. This optical system is the only one of its kind on the market and is an industry breakthrough in terms of technical safety using artificial intelligence (AI) for hand detection.
HAND GUARD recognizes potential risks based on special AI hand detection software long before an accident can occur. In the event of an acute threat to fingers or hands, the saw blade quickly retracts within a quarter of a second underneath the workbench. In doing so, HAND GUARD offers maximum protection for users prior to a tangible risk or even injury.
After more than three years of research and development work, we are extremely proud and delighted to be awarded such a groundbreaking prize,” said Karl-Friedrich Schröder, head of research and development at Altendorf.
“For us, HAND GUARD plays a key part in significantly improving safety at work for our customers and is testament to the work we do.”
“Part of this success story is down to our innovative and successful collaboration with the professional association for wood and metal (BGHM) and the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety,” said Schröder.
Altendorf Group GmbH based in Minden/Westphalia is a global market leader in the production of circular saws for small-scale wood, metal and plastic manufacturing.

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