Wearin’ has successfully concluded the final System Field Test (SFT) of SYNERGISE, an international research initiative involving 16 partners working together to develop an integrated technological toolkit for responding to natural and human-induced disasters.

The exercise was conducted from 12 to 16 October 2026 at the Fighting City police training and testing facility in Berlin, Germany. It brought together the technologies developed by all SYNERGISE technical partners to assess their combined performance in a demanding Search & Rescue (SAR) operation.

The exercise recreated a major disaster involving an explosion, several collapsed structures, fire and heavy smoke. The scenario enabled participating organisations to evaluate how connected technologies could support emergency teams operating in dangerous and rapidly changing conditions.

Information collected from robots, drones, wearable equipment and positioning technologies was integrated in real time. This provided first responders with an improved understanding of the incident, helping them identify potential hazards, make informed decisions and coordinate their activities more effectively.

The exercise involved 12 firefighters and emergency responders from Greece, Sweden, Germany, Poland and Kurdistan, all equipped with Wearin’ technology. Their participation allowed the consortium to assess personnel monitoring capabilities in realistic emergency-response conditions.

Wearable technology for monitoring first responder safety

Wearin’ played a central role in the integrated response system by bringing together physiological monitoring and environmental sensing capabilities.

Its solution incorporated several important safety features, including:

• Physiological Stress Index (PSI): Evaluates physical strain using heart-rate and core body temperature measurements.
• Gas detection: Monitors potentially dangerous atmospheric conditions.
• Radiation monitoring: Supports the identification of radiation-related hazards.
• Indoor positioning: Uses SYSNAV magneto-inertial tracking technology to locate responders inside buildings.
• Emergency alerts: Includes Man Down detection and SOS alarms to communicate distress situations.

By combining personnel location information with continuous monitoring of physiological conditions and surrounding environmental hazards, the platform provides incident commanders with a more complete picture of responder safety.

The system also incorporates information supplied by drones and other connected equipment, expanding the situational awareness available to emergency management teams.

All collected information was presented in real time through ASTRIAL’s ENGAGE Command & Control platform. This enabled operational commanders to supervise teams working across different areas and monitor evolving conditions throughout the complex, multi-stage emergency scenario.

Such integrated information can be particularly valuable when emergency personnel are exposed to dangerous conditions and commanders must make rapid decisions to protect their teams.

Converting Physiological Data into Practical Safety Information

One of the main objectives of SYNERGISE is to transform large volumes of technical data into clear information that emergency personnel can use during operations.

As part of this approach, Wearin’ developed its Physiological Strain Index (PSI), which converts multiple physiological measurements into a straightforward score ranging from Level 1 to Level 10. The score indicates the degree of heat-related physiological strain experienced by an individual responder.

To simplify the interpretation of these measurements, several indicators are also combined into an overall risk classification of Low, Medium or High, presented through an accessible dashboard.

This enables team leaders to quickly evaluate the physical condition of individual responders and identify those who might need assistance or should be removed from an operation.

The PSI algorithm has also undergone further refinement and can be customised for individual users. This personalisation helps emergency teams recognise excessive physical strain at an earlier stage and take appropriate preventive action.

Integrating Robotics, Drones and Connected Technologies

Interoperability between different equipment platforms is essential for coordinating emergency response activities. The SYNERGISE exercise therefore assessed the Wearin’ system alongside the technologies developed by the project's other partners.

The integrated setup included:

• ANYmal robotic platforms: Developed by ETH Zurich, these robotic systems supported operations in difficult-to-access environments.
• SNAKE robotic system: A telescopic robotic arm equipped with a camera, developed by Japanese partners, for inspecting and interacting with challenging environments.
• Remote-controlled robotic arm: Designed to manipulate objects and operate valves remotely.
• OWL drones: Equipped with LiDAR technology and developed by a Norwegian research laboratory to support indoor mapping and environmental assessment.

The combined deployment enabled partners to examine how information from different technological platforms could be exchanged and used within a common operational environment.

Commenting on the results, Mathilde Bensimhon, Project Manager and Integration Engineer at Wearin’, said:

“The Wearin’ solution performed reliably throughout the exercise and proved essential in the search and rescue operations in combination with the other technologies developed and tested within SYNERGISE,” said Mathilde Bensimhon, Project Manager and Integration Engineer at Wearin’. “We are very proud to see that Wearin’ proved its reliability and capacity to interface with existing sensors, aggregating data and integrating it into our ecosystem while ensuring reliable data transmission.”

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has successfully completed its 10th consecutive summer without a single heat-related injury or illness, a significant achievement given Bahrain’s demanding summer working conditions

It also demonstrates Alba’s ability to translate its “Safety First, Safety Always” principle into sustained operational performance, supported by workforce ownership, visible leadership and increasingly data-driven prevention, according to the company.

Throughout the summer season, Alba implemented a wide range of initiatives under its annual Summer Preparation Plan and Summer Safety and Health Campaign. Workers were provided with practical guidance on heat stress prevention and safe work practices, supported by ongoing leadership engagement, enhanced supervision, and continuous monitoring using advanced testing systems capable of providing real-time hydration readings within seconds, enabling earlier intervention and supporting a shift from reactive safety management towards real-time, risk-based prevention.

One of Alba’s flagship annual safety initiatives, the Summer Safety & Health Campaign highlights the importance of continuous awareness, personal accountability and proactive risk management in industrial workplaces. The Campaign also plays a vital role in promoting safe behaviours, reducing heat-related incidents and fostering a culture where safety is embraced as a shared responsibility and an enduring daily practice.

Alba's chief executive officer Ali Al Baqali said, “Reaching our 10th consecutive summer free of heat-related injuries and illnesses is an achievement that belongs to every Alba employee and contractor. That sense of personal responsibility and care for one another is the culture we want to strengthen as we move forward with our 2026 objectives. I am proud of our people for sustaining this standard for a decade, particularly through another summer.”

The dangers of heat stress

Heat stress is an invisible and silent killer that can quickly cause illness, heatstroke or even death. The ILO estimates that excessive heat contributes to 22.87 million occupational injuries annually, resulting in 18,970 deaths. In the Gulf, where temperatures can rise above 50% in the summer months, heat stress is a particular risk, particularly for migrant workers, who make up a large proportion of the construction workers.

All the GCC countries have implemented a midday work ban, prohibiting outdoor activities during the peak heat of summer days. Noncompliance can lead to penalties ranging from fines to shutting down the violating businesses.

In Bahrain the ban is implemented from 15 June to 31 August. During this period, outdoor work is prohibited between 12pm and 4pm, The directive applies across all sectors involving open-air labour, including construction and other physically demanding roles. Authorities aim to reduce the risk of heat stress, dehydration and related occupational hazards that can arise during peak summer conditions.

In 2025, adherence to the regulation reached 99.96%, reflecting growing awareness among employers. The authorities carry out regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure companies follow the rules and safeguard worker wellbeing. Employers breaching the ban may face financial penalties or temporary suspension of operations, underlining the government’s commitment to worker protection.

The policy reflects Bahrain’s ongoing commitment to improving labour conditions, particularly in sectors exposed to environmental risks, and reinforces the importance of preventative measures in maintaining safe working environments during the summer months.

Ardagh Glass Packaging (AGP) has reported a significant improvement in workplace safety at its Port Allegany facility, recording a 70% improvement in safety performance compared with the previous year.

The achievement has positioned the site as AGP North America's leading facility for safety performance year to date.

The progress reflects a people-centred approach to occupational health and safety, with employees and management working together to identify workplace hazards, strengthen preventive measures and encourage greater participation in safety-related activities.

Rather than relying solely on established safety procedures, the Port Allegany team has focused on building an environment where employees are encouraged to raise concerns, report potential risks and take responsibility for maintaining safe working conditions.

Empowering employees to strengthen workplace safety

A key element of the facility's improvement has been making safety reporting and risk identification more accessible to employees.

The site has introduced and strengthened several initiatives designed to encourage active participation and address potential hazards before they result in incidents.

These include real-time reporting mechanisms that allow employees to communicate safety concerns as they arise, enabling teams to respond more quickly and take appropriate corrective action.

Management engagement has also been an important part of the approach. Facility leaders regularly visit production areas, interact with employees and conduct workplace discussions to encourage open communication about safety challenges and improvement opportunities.

For activities outside routine operations, the facility uses Job Hazard Analysis procedures to identify potential dangers before work begins. These assessments help employees evaluate task-specific risks and implement suitable preventive measures.

In addition, a structured employee recognition programme acknowledges individuals and teams who demonstrate proactive safety practices, identify workplace concerns and contribute to protecting their colleagues.

Together, these measures have helped establish a workplace culture in which safety is viewed as a shared responsibility rather than an obligation limited to specific departments.

Connecting safety improvements with the Clearly Ardagh strategy

The progress at Port Allegany also demonstrates how the company's broader strategic priorities are being translated into operational improvements.

Clearly Ardagh is AGP's strategic initiative designed to strengthen its long-term business performance through improved efficiency, stronger partnerships and a high-performance organisational culture. The programme aims to create greater value for customers, business partners and employees.

Two central elements of this strategy are particularly evident in the Port Allegany facility's safety achievements: People-Powered Culture and End-to-End Performance.

People-Powered Culture emphasises employee empowerment, participation and individual ownership. By encouraging workers to identify hazards, report concerns and actively contribute to safety improvements, the facility has placed employees at the centre of its safety management approach.

End-to-End Performance focuses on operational efficiency and continuous improvement across business activities. At Port Allegany, this is reflected in the processes used to assess workplace risks, improve safety practices and strengthen operational procedures.

The combination of these priorities demonstrates how employee engagement and structured improvement processes can work together to support safer working environments and stronger overall business performance.

Leadership and teamwork drive continued progress

The safety improvements at Port Allegany have been led by Todd Burgess, Manager, Environmental, Health & Safety at the facility, with contributions from the local workforce and support from AGP's corporate Health & Safety team.

The initiative highlights the importance of collaboration between site-level leadership, employees and corporate safety specialists in establishing consistent workplace safety standards.

By continuing to encourage employee involvement, strengthen risk prevention and integrate safety into everyday operations, Ardagh Glass Packaging is reinforcing its commitment to protecting its workforce while advancing its broader operational objectives.

The Port Allegany experience demonstrates how a people-driven safety culture, supported by effective management systems and continuous improvement, can contribute to measurable progress in industrial workplace safety.