Twiceme Technology formed a partnership with Haglöfs, the renowned Swedish outdoor brand, introducing its digital safety technology to winter apparel for the first time. The new Haglöfs ski touring set integrated Twiceme’s smart safety system directly into the garments, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to take greater control of their safety while exploring mountain terrain.

The collaboration combined Haglöfs’ expertise in high-performance outdoor clothing with Twiceme’s advanced digital safety platform, marking a significant step towards making personal safety an inherent part of every outdoor adventure. Using Twiceme’s built-in NFC technology, users and first responders could instantly access essential safety information by tapping a smartphone on the Twiceme symbol on the garment. This worked even without an internet connection when using the Twiceme app.

Through the app, wearers gained access to a suite of features that included a locally stored medical ID, emergency contact information, and options to share GPS locations or trigger alerts. The “Get Back Timer” allowed users to set a return time, notifying contacts if they did not return as expected, while an “Immobility Alert” detected prolonged inactivity and sent an emergency signal.

“Our partnership with Haglöfs empowers people to take control of their safety during outdoor activities,” said Christian Connolly, CEO of Twiceme Technology. “For the first time in winter clothing, we’re giving users the tools to be proactive about their safety.”

The collaboration marked Twiceme’s entry into the winter outdoor apparel market and represented a milestone in its mission to establish a Digital Safety Standard. Haglöfs joined a growing network of more than 45 brand partners already working with Twiceme to integrate digital safety into adventure and work environments.

By combining technology and performance design, the partnership demonstrated how innovation could enhance both functionality and safety in extreme conditions, setting a new benchmark for the outdoor clothing industry.

At the KSA HSE Conference in Riyadh on 9^th and 10^th September, 2025, Kharsan Al Salem, HSEQ Consultant and Traffic Diversions Project Director at Riyadh Municipality, delivered a compelling session on the importance of embedding a 'Safety First' culture in organisations in Saudi Arabia. His talk emphasised that safety must move beyond compliance and become an ingrained value guiding every decision and action in the workplace

“Safety First is to place health and safety and well-being of people above costs and speed and convenience,” Al Salem began. “It’s not just compliance — it should be a culture and value for each organisation.” He reminded attendees that this commitment is not optional but essential: “Everyone deserves to go home safe.”

Al Salem explained that safety-first cultures drive measurable benefits: reducing incidents, saving lives, and boosting productivity and morale. “Safety first matters because it reduces workplace incidents and saves lives, builds trust and reputation for the organisation, improves morale—workers feel valued and protected, and increases productivity,” he said.

He outlined three foundational pillars of a sustainable safety-first culture: leadership commitment, team empowerment, and open communication. “If one of these pillars is weak, the culture will not be sustainable,” he cautioned.

Leadership Commitment

According to Al Salem, leaders play a defining role in shaping organisational culture. “Leaders set the tone by their actions and priorities,” he said. “When leaders actively demonstrate commitment—wearing the right personal protective equipment, following procedures, participating in safety meetings—it sends a powerful message.” This visible involvement, he added, “builds trust and accountability. Employees see that safety is taken seriously, and they feel motivated to follow suit.”

Team Empowerment

Empowering employees to take ownership of safety responsibilities was Al Salem’s second pillar. “Team empowerment is about giving employees ownership of their safety responsibility,” he explained. Providing proper training, resources, and fostering collaboration enables teams to prevent incidents before they happen. “Empowered teams are engaged and proactive,” he said, emphasising the importance of open dialogue where everyone feels comfortable raising safety concerns.

Open Communication

The third pillar, open communication, ensures a transparent and blame-free environment. “Organisations must create a safe environment where employees can report incidents or near misses without fear of retaliation,” Al Salem said. Sharing lessons learned and maintaining feedback loops, he added, “helps everyone improve, so safety processes evolve based on real experience.”

Al Salem also highlighted progress within Saudi Arabia. “Safety culture is gaining momentum, supported by government regulation and initiatives focused on workplace safety,” he noted. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, 66% of establishments now comply with the Occupational Safety and Health system. Additionally, nine ministerial decisions and 41 new regulations have been implemented in the field, contributing to a drop in occupational injuries from 416 to 287 per 100,000 workers and a reduction in fatality rates from 3.8 to 1.12 per 100,000 workers.

Closing his session, Al Salem urged attendees to lead by example and commit to continuous improvement. “Leaders should lead by example every day. Teams must feel empowered to speak up and share their concerns. Together, fostering a culture of continuous improvement will make our workplaces safer and more productive,” he concluded.

Through his address, Al Salem underscored that a true “Safety First” culture is not a slogan—it is a shared value, practised daily, and essential for sustainable organisational success in Saudi Arabia’s evolving industries.

Ergodyne has unveiled its latest winter work gear collection, designed to help workers stay safe and comfortable in extreme cold and harsh weather conditions.

The launch comes as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a volatile 2025-26 winter, with colder-than-normal temperatures expected across the northern Rockies and Plains, and wetter-than-average conditions across northern U.S. regions. The emerging La Niña pattern is anticipated to bring snow, frozen precipitation, and bursts of extreme cold, making proper winter gear essential for outdoor workers.

At the heart of the collection is the 6981 Winter Warming Kit, which equips workers with essential items for the season’s harshest conditions.

Highlights include the 6801 Winter Skull Cap with Rechargeable LED Light, a thermal beanie that keeps workers warm while providing built-in lighting for dark winter workdays; the 6808ZI Winter Bump Cap Beanie, a dual-function thermal beanie with a removable bump cap insert that offers both warmth and protection against minor impacts; and the 6831 Reflective Balaclava, a versatile 3-in-1 face, head, and neck covering with reflective detailing to enhance visibility in low-light or whiteout conditions.

Together, these products demonstrate Ergodyne’s commitment to equipping workers with reliable, durable gear that allows them to prepare for and respond effectively to winter hazards, ensuring both safety and productivity in challenging environments.

“We know that preparation is everything during the winter,” said Ergodyne product manager Claudia Weber. “These additions are all about helping crews stay safe, visible and warm no matter what the forecast delivers.”

“That’s never been lost on us,” said Ergodyne president Greg Schrab. “A great example are the gloves in our Winter Warming Kit (ProFlex 7401 Winter Work Gloves). Of course they’re warm but read the reviews and they’re all talking about how flexible and grippy they are. That’s not an accident. Anybody who’s ever spent a minute working outdoors in the cold knows how hard it can be to get a handle on even the most basic tasks, and that was the puzzle the team set out to solve when we were designing them. Warm isn’t enough for any of our winter gear.”