Responding to the evolving needs of workers and ensuring they have the right tools for their jobsite continues to inspire innovation at MSA Safety, Inc..

This week, the global safety equipment leader unveiled its latest detection solution, the ALTAIR io 6 Multigas Detector, making its European debut at the 2025 A+A International Trade Fair & Congress (A+A) in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The ALTAIR io 6 Multigas Detector will become the newest addition to the MSA Connected Work Platform. Designed for confined space monitoring and sampling applications, this six-gas detector is MSA’s first cellular-connected device featuring an integrated pump. Compact and versatile, it includes MSA’s XCell sensors, a large, highly visible screen, and a removable, rechargeable external battery, making it suitable for both handheld use and wearable operation.

Joining the ALTAIR io 4 Gas Detection Wearable on the Connected Work Platform, the new device expands MSA’s connected safety ecosystem. While the ALTAIR io 4 serves as a personal, continuous monitoring device, the ALTAIR io 6 is designed for sampling confined spaces and pre-entry checks on job sites. Both detectors are widely used in the construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and utilities sectors.

Sharing similar technology, both detectors offer the same intuitive interface and are powered by MSA Grid software, enabling seamless integration within a fleet of gas monitors. This connected framework provides a powerful digital safety ecosystem, enhancing real-time worksite monitoring and safety management. MSA Grid delivers live device location and alert data, along with instant access to individual or fleet-wide information. The ALTAIR io 6 is expected to be available for order in early 2026.

“Our focus is on helping to keep workers safe by developing innovative safety solutions so our customers can enhance protection, compliance, and efficiency,” said Dave Howells, president of MSA International. “By featuring our Connected Work Platform and broad range of industrial safety solutions, we’ll give A+A attendees a hands-on experience to learn more about how MSA is using technology and data to help make it easier for workers to have the best solution for their job.”

At A+A 2025, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with MSA product experts across key safety domains, including fall protection, head protection, respiratory protection, and detection monitoring solutions. Featured products on display include:

* V-Series Harnesses – Built for comfort, flexibility, and easy adjustment, these harnesses are engineered to better contour the body and help workers stay focused on their tasks.

* MSA Latchways Lifeline Systems – Innovative safety systems offering maximum mobility for workers on rooftops or within indoor facilities.

* V-Gard Safety Helmets and Protective Caps – Customisable head protection solutions listed in the CIOB #PPEthatfits Directory of Inclusive PPE for diverse workers.

* MSA M1 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) – Engineered for industrial, confined space, and firefighting environments, offering adaptability and improved user mobility through a single facepiece design.

* FL500-H2 UV/IR Flame Detector for Hydrogen – Provides rapid response and reliable fire protection in hydrogen-related applications.

* ULTIMA X5000 Gas Monitor – Equipped with dual sensing technology and Bluetooth connectivity for remote gas detection of oxygen, toxic, and combustible gases.

Through these innovations, MSA Safety continues to redefine connected safety, combining intelligent data, advanced sensing technology, and worker-centric design to create safer, smarter workplaces across industries.

India’s Ken Institute has outlined a range of measures that could be implemented to protect workers and elevate health and safety standards across Saudi Arabia’s NEOM mega project

In a 4 November article published on the training group’s website, entitled ‘Worker Safety Challenges at Saudi’s Neom Mega Project’, it highlighted several issues and challenges facing the scheme “with investigations revealing hazardous conditions, reported incidents of violence, accidents, and systemic abuses, especially for migrant workers.​“

As well as alleged labour abuses, key concerns also include environmental factors, given the project’s location in the Saudi desert with threats such as heat stress, hydration and dust control.

The institute outlined various mitigation measures, which, when combined as part of a comprehensive occupational health and safety plan, would effectively reduce worker exposure to environmental hazards and enhance overall safety and productivity.

Key recommendations

To prevent future worker deaths at Neom, Ken Institute issued the following recommendations, “combining best practices observed globally and Neom’s commitments”:

Strengthen safety culture and enforcement: Embed a culture of safety as a core value at all levels, ensuring workers feel empowered to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation; Enforce strict adherence to international health and safety laws and standards; Conduct frequent audits and inspections by independent third parties to verify compliance and effectiveness of safety protocols.

Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment protections:Implement zero-tolerance policies on harassment and discrimination; Establish clear reporting and redress mechanisms; Train all workers and supervisors on respectful workplace conduct; Improve training and awareness; Provide comprehensive safety training to all workers and supervisors using innovative technologies to enhance hazard recognition and emergency response skills; Promote ongoing education on use of personal protective equipment, machinery operation, and accident prevention techniques.​

Enhance working conditions: Limit work hours to provide mandatory breaks and enforce rest periods; Ensure worker accommodations include properly equipped health clinics and well-being facilities for timely medical care and mental health support; Implement smart safety technologies such as IoT-enabled helmets and proximity alert systems to monitor worker health and prevent accidents.​

Timely and full payment of wages: Employers must pay wages on time and in full, with reliable wage protection systems monitoring compliance to prevent wage theft or delayed payments.

Transparent incident reporting and accountability: Establish a robust whistleblower policy allowing workers and subcontractors to report unsafe practices confidentially; Investigate all accidents, injuries, and near-misses thoroughly, publish transparent reports, and take corrective actions promptly.​

Respect worker mobility and contractual rights: Convert temporary contracts beyond 90 days into full employment contracts, allowing workers to change employers and exit the country without prior employer approval, increasing worker agency and security.​

Regulatory and contractual measures: Ensure all contractors comply with Saudi labour laws and international conventions addressing occupational safety and workers’ rights; Prohibit wage theft, forced labor, and restrictions on job mobility, providing workers with legal protections and support.​

Emergency preparedness and response: Continuously update and rehearse emergency response plans tailored to the unique hazards of the site; Equip emergency teams with advanced communication tools and medical supplies to rapidly respond to accidents or health crises.​

“Implementing these recommendations can greatly reduce risks and fatalities at Neom by fostering a safer, healthier, and more accountable work environment,” Ken Institute noted.

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.”