Guards made of composite materials, such as fiberglass-reinforced resins, carbon fibers, advanced polymers and composite foams, offer numerous advantages, including an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. They are extremely strong and impact resistant while being significantly lighter than metals, making them ideal for applications where weight reduction is crucial without compromising protection. Finally, their resistance to a wide range of chemicals also makes these types of guards suitable for use in industrial environments, or, again, in extreme conditions where harmful exposures could occur.