Global HSE Group's training division has launched a new fire safety qualification, crafted for construction professionals

Understanding Fire Safety Design hopes to establish the foundational fire safety knowledge required to work in safety-critical environments such as construction sites.

The course promises both theory and practical application to integrate fire safety into the project design and execution stages.

Global HSE Group's head of technical and training, Chris Sharman, said the qualification "has been created for individuals working on construction projects such as Principal Designers, or individuals within Principal, Main, or sub-contractors with a level of design liability where fire safety knowledge is crucial.

"This demonstrates Global Academy’s commitment to delivering industry-leading training that aligns with ever-evolving fire safety regulations."

Andrew Cooper, Global HSE Group's managing director, added, "Fire safety is a fundamental aspect of building design, and ensuring that professionals have the right knowledge to integrate it effectively is vital.

"The Understanding Fire Safety Design qualification is a significant step forward in equipping learners with both the theoretical knowledge and the practical application needed to enhance safety in the built environment."

Professionals can enrol for the course via Global Academy now.

Exposure to welding fumes is a significant occupational hazard, with documented links to lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. In 2019, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) classified welding fumes as a Group 1 carcinogen, mandating effective respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for all indoor welding tasks and outdoor welding where ventilation is inadequate.

Darren Binns, Jefferson Tools' national sales manager, emphasised the danger presented by welding fumes. "The risks associated with welding fumes are too serious to ignore. Employers need to take proactive steps to ensure their workers are protected and that means investing in the right equipment."

Jefferson Tools has long supplied the Tundra Air Fed Welding Helmet, designed to provide continuous, filtered airflow to reduce welders' exposure to hazardous fumes. The helmet includes a comfortable carrying belt and a protected air hose for durability. A lightweight, ergonomic design promises comfort for extended use, while an auto-darkening filter ensures clear vision and smooth task transitions.

Introducing the upgraded revision of the helmet, which responds to industry feedback about the former version's visibility with an increased viewing window, Darren continued, "Our enhanced Tundra Air Fed Welding Helmet provides welders with superior protection, comfort, and visibility, making compliance easier while safeguarding long-term health. At Jefferson Tools, we’re committed to helping businesses meet HSE requirements with solutions that put worker safety first."

As regulatory requirements and enforcement measures continue to evolve, effective RPE remains essential in ensuring welders’ long-term health and safety.

Side radars are primarily utilised for blind spot detection

Radars are playing an increasingly pivotal role in advancing autonomous driving technology, with front and side radars forming essential components of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

According to IDTechEx’s latest report, "Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars," innovations in radar technology are pushing autonomy to new levels, particularly with the growing adoption of Level 2+ systems in the US and Europe.

Front radars are fundamental for object detection, supporting key ADAS functions such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB). The push to enhance front radar capabilities is driving innovation in the sector, with angular resolution and range emerging as top priorities. These improvements are expected to significantly refine vehicle automation and safety features, taking precedence over factors like field of view and compactness.

Side radars: improving blind spot detection

Side radars are primarily utilised for blind spot detection (BSD), with lane change assist (LCA) serving as an advanced extension of this technology. LCA helps vehicles assess approaching traffic before executing lane changes, enhancing overall safety. Cross-traffic alert (CTA) is another crucial function, particularly useful when reversing out of parking spaces. Additionally, junction pedestrian AEB combines input from front and side radars to detect pedestrians at intersections before a vehicle completes a turn, demonstrating the collaborative potential of radar systems in improving road safety.

Unlike front radars, side radars require a wide field of view to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings effectively. Compact design is also a priority, allowing for seamless integration into vehicles without compromising aesthetics or functionality. However, long-range detection is less critical for side radars, with an effective range of up to 50 metres being sufficient for their primary tasks.

IDTechEx describes Level 2+ as a bridge between Level 2 and Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to operate vehicles hands-free while maintaining focus on the road. This level of automation has gained significant momentum, particularly in the US, where Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ and Ford’s ‘BlueCruise’ systems are already in operation.

Following its European debut in 2023, Ford’s BlueCruise now operates in 15 countries, according to IDTechEx. Meanwhile, Tesla is targeting 2025 for the launch of fully self-driving vehicles in China, a move expected to accelerate the adoption of Level 2+ systems worldwide. The requirement for driver supervision in Level 2+ systems may be a key factor in their rising popularity over Level 3, as they provide a blend of automation and security, easing liability concerns for manufacturers.

4D radars and the path to higher autonomy

The future of vehicle autonomy hinges on the development of 4D and imaging radars, which offer enhanced elevation and azimuth resolution. These advanced radars will be instrumental in refining vehicle perception, enabling more precise planning and adaptive responses. As a result, they are expected to play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to Level 3 and Level 4 autonomy, bringing fully autonomous vehicles closer to reality.

With radar technology continuing to evolve, its role in autonomous driving is set to expand, reinforcing safety and accelerating the transition towards self-driving vehicles on a global scale.

Navtech's MAS10 is the world's first 77GHz FMCW marine radar, promising all-weather navigation and safer manoeuvring.

The company partnered with leading marine operators for the product's development, inspiring its groundbreaking adoption of weatherproof W-band radar tech and rugged design to support its mission-critical applications.

Rachel O'Connor, Navtech Radar's marine business development manager, stated, "New challenges demand more advanced solutions. The MAS10 radar is purpose-built for marine automation, combining a 1km range with centimetre-level precision and all-weather reliability.

"The MAS10’s high-resolution imaging enables machine-learning-powered classification, setting a new standard for safe and intelligent navigation. With 25 years of Navtech expertise, the MAS10 is designed to enable safer and smarter navigation for the future of maritime operations."

Zero USV was one such operator partnering with Navtech for the MAS10 product development. Matthew Ratsey, Zero USV's founder and MD, added, "Navtech's MAS10 is such a unit, the definition and quality to pick up even the smallest of targets in cluttered environments is vital for the autonomous industry to continue seeking the goal of ‘jetty to jetty’ navigation where busy harbours still represent a significant challenge."

Vattenfall saw potential in the Elios 3. (Image source: Flyability)

Vattenfall, one of Europe’s largest producers and retailers of electricity and heat, has used Flyability’s Elios 3 drone to create 3D models of restricted areas inside a decommissioned power plant, improving its understanding of locations deemed unsafe for human entry.

Once decommissioned, power plants often remain untouched for extended periods due to safety hazards and security concerns. Large industrial facilities present risks such as falls, head injuries, and confined space dangers. Additionally, the proprietary designs and operational methods of power plants require protection, leading to further restrictions.

Despite these constraints, companies must continue maintaining decommissioned plants. However, limited access makes it difficult to assess structural conditions, posing challenges for routine inspections and long-term planning.

Leveraging drone technology for inspection

The decommissioned facility, no longer in operation, had been repurposed as a training site for firefighters, but certain sections were still off-limits due to falling debris risks.

A long-time Flyability customer, Vattenfall saw potential in the Elios 3, an indoor drone equipped with a LiDAR sensor, for creating precise 3D maps of no-go zones. The company conducted test flights at the plant to determine whether the Elios 3’s simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) capabilities could generate usable models.

Using the FlyAware SLAM algorithm, the drone processed real-time LiDAR data, creating 3D visualisations of restricted areas. The collected data was later refined with FARO software for higher-resolution post-processed models, enhancing the team's ability to understand the facility’s layout.

The test flights focused on a deteriorating stairwell, an area deemed unsafe for human entry. The Elios 3 successfully navigated the confined space, flying 30-40 m (98-130 ft) up the stairwell while maintaining a strong signal and collecting high-precision data.

Vattenfall’s R&D team confirmed that both the SLAM-generated and post-processed models met their inspection needs, demonstrating the potential for broader applications across other decommissioned plants.

Anders Lindström, Digital Inspection Specialist in Vattenfall’s R&D Department, said,
“The LiDAR capability is a great addition to the Elios' capabilities and it is so far the only drone with LiDAR capability in this size segment”.

Without the Elios 3, personnel would have needed rope access or scaffolding to inspect the site manually, a process that could take weeks and incur high costs. Instead, the drone completed the task in just 30 minutes, showcasing significant time, cost, and safety benefits.