For Immediate Distribution
                      Contact: Arthur J. Wasserspring, V.P.F.
                      Telephone (516) 427-1802
                                
                 EASTCO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CORP.
          ANNOUNCES SALE OF ITS DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS

     December 15, 1998 - EASTCO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CORP. (NASDAQ
symbols ESTO, ESTOW), a manufacturer and distributor of industrial
protective clothing and other safety products, announced today that
it has signed a definitive agreement to sell certain assets of its
distribution business and the Eastco name to Arbill Industries,
Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

     The Company will change its name to Worksafe Industries Inc.
subject to shareholders' approval at the Annual Meeting on December
16, 1998.

     Although financial details are not released at this time, it
is expected the deal will have a positive impact on the financial
position and liquidity of the Company.

     Larry Densen, President of Eastco, stated that "this sale will
now allow management to focus, broaden and grow its core
manufacturing business."

     Eastco Industrial Safety Corp. is a prominent provider of
protective clothing and safety products to the industrial
marketplace.  The Company has been serving industrial users for 40
years and continues to expand into new and emerging markets.  The
Company manufactures disposable and reusable industrial protective
clothing at facilities located in Alabama, Mexico and Puerto Rico,
and protective gloves in Minnesota.