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Ask any plant manager what slows down a digital rollout in a hazardous area, and the answer rarely involves the network. It involves the device in someone's hand. Field crews trust their two-way radios the way a pilot trusts a checklist: instinctively, without looking. Swap that tool for an unfamiliar smartphone and adoption stalls, however capable the new hardware might be.

i.safe MOBILE built the IS380.1 to sidestep that problem entirely. Rather than asking hazardous-area workers to relearn their tools, the company put a full 4G LTE device inside a housing that behaves like the radio they already know. Certified for ATEX and IECEx Zone 1/21, the IS380.1 targets exactly the environments where explosion protection is non-negotiable: refineries, offshore platforms, chemical plants, ports and rail infrastructure.

Ergonomics that need no explanation

Pick up the IS380.1 and every control sits where a radio operator expects it. A large, side-mounted PTT button falls naturally under the thumb. A rotary switch handles channel selection or volume without forcing eyes away from the task at hand. A front-facing, amplified loudspeaker cuts through compressor noise or a busy loading bay, and an SOS button next to the antenna offers a direct route to emergency alerting. Existing headsets and remote speaker microphones connect through the familiar 13-pin ISM interface, so accessory budgets and training materials stay valid.

For safety officers, that continuity carries real weight. Every additional training session is a session where attention drifts from the actual hazard. A device that inherits established muscle memory removes a whole category of rollout risk before it starts.

Where PMR meets broadband PTT

Underneath that familiar shell runs a powerful processor with 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, and i.safe MOBILE's own ISM-OS 16, based on Android. Connected to a 4G network, the IS380.1 opens up Push-to-Talk over Cellular alongside standard telephony, giving teams nationwide or even global reach that conventional VHF/UHF simply cannot offer.

Crucially, this does not mean abandoning existing radio infrastructure. Through third-party RoIP gateways, the IS380.1 bridges cellular PTT platforms with legacy VHF/UHF networks, so a technician carrying the new device can still reach a colleague on an older handset. Sites can migrate site by site, shift by shift, without a forklift replacement of every radio in circulation, and without a gap in coverage during the transition.

Built for the environments where it works

An IP68 rating and MIL-STD 810H certification confirm what the housing already suggests: this is hardware designed for offshore platforms, petrochemical plants and outdoor industrial sites, not for a controlled office environment. The pre-installed i.safe MOBILE App World, hosted on German servers and updated alongside device firmware, adds a further layer of control. IT and safety teams get a curated channel for validated applications, including lone-worker protection and PTT clients, tested specifically on i.safe MOBILE hardware rather than assumed to work.

A practical first step

For operators in oil and gas, chemicals, ports, rail and heavy industry, the IS380.1 offers something rarer than raw specifications: a migration path that respects how field teams actually work. It extends coverage, adds broadband PTT and telephony, and keeps legacy radio users in the conversation, all inside a form factor nobody needs to be retrained on. That combination turns digital transformation from a disruptive event into a gradual, low-risk transition, exactly the kind hazardous-area operations need.

Picture credits: i.safe MOBILE

www.isafe-mobile.com

Engineered for hazardous environments. Designed for flexibility.

Customers across more than 80 industries rely on tailored steam solutions to meet their individual operational requirements. Where steam generation is required within potentially explosive or hazardous areas, specialist engineering is essential.

Our ATEX-rated containerised steam system has been specifically designed and engineered for use within potentially explosive environments, including refinery applications. The system combines safe, reliable steam generation with a flexible, space-saving design.

Designed for Hazardous Areas

The container has been purpose-built for operation within a potentially explosive environment. The ventilation system has been specially developed and manufactured for the application, while the control system has been custom-designed to meet the requirements of the designated hazardous zones.

By integrating these systems into a single package, the customer receives a complete solution designed around the specific requirements of the installation.

Simple, Automated Operation

A high level of automation makes the system simple and efficient to operate, reducing the need for manual intervention and helping to minimise personnel requirements.

The integrated controls provide greater flexibility and allow the system to respond to changing steam demand, giving customers a highly responsive and straightforward steam-generation solution.

Flexible and Space-Saving

Steam systems are inherently compact, but where space is particularly restricted, a containerised solution provides additional flexibility in terms of location and installation.

Housing the complete steam plant within a purpose-designed container allows the system to be positioned where it is most practical for the customer, making it particularly suitable for existing industrial facilities where space is limited or disruption needs to be minimised.

Rapid Steam Generation

The rapid steam generation technology can be ready to produce steam in approximately 3–5 minutes, allowing the system to respond quickly when steam is required.

The generator supplies only as much steam as is needed at any given time, providing an efficient and responsive approach to variable steam demand.

Modular Design and Reduced Disruption

The modular design provides significant benefits when maintenance is required. Individual systems or modules can be serviced without necessarily interrupting normal operations, helping customers maintain continuity across their wider production processes.

The containerised plant can be delivered as a complete, factory-assembled package, including pipework, electrical wiring, insulation, controls and ventilation. This reduces the amount of work required on site and can help simplify installation and commissioning.

A Complete Steam Solution

By combining ATEX-rated engineering, advanced automation, rapid steam generation and modular construction, the containerised steam system provides a complete solution for challenging industrial environments.

For refineries and other potentially explosive areas, it offers customers greater flexibility over plant location and installation while providing reliable steam generation with minimal operational complexity.

Specialist engineering. Flexible installation. Reliable steam generation.

www.certuss.co.uk

Rauch Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH relies on customized sensors from Metallux AG for its high-precision fertilizer spreaders. They ensure that every application of fertilizer reaches exactly where it is needed – economically, sustainably and with centimeter-level precision.

Rauch Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH is an internationally active family-owned company founded in 1921 and headquartered in Rheinmünster, Germany. The company develops and manufactures high-precision fertilizer spreading and seeding technology for agriculture as well as spreading equipment for winter road maintenance.

Around 400 employees contribute to the company’s success worldwide, including 45 in the development department alone. Its products are distributed in more than 50 countries through an international dealer network.

In the field of fertilizer technology, Rauch uses, among other solutions, disc spreaders in which rotating spreading discs distribute fertilizer granules across the field in precisely calculated trajectories, achieving working widths of up to 54 meters. Precise, targeted distribution depends on the exact coordination of disc speed, drop point and the properties of the fertilizer being used. Depending on particle size, shape and density, each granule has different flight characteristics and is therefore distributed differently across the field.

The objective is clear: to apply the right amount of fertilizer in exactly the right place. For farmers, this is crucial. Fertilizer supplies plants with essential nutrients, helps ensure high yields and contributes to long-term soil fertility. At the same time, it represents a significant cost factor. Under-application can lead to yield losses, while over-application not only causes unnecessary costs but can also impact the environment through excess nutrients entering soil and water. 

Rauch values Metallux for its combination of technical expertise, flexibility and quality. Maximilian Zimmer, Team Leader Product Electronics Development, explains:

“What we value about Metallux is its high level of expertise and reliability. You know what you are getting and can rely on your partner. The geographical proximity was an additional advantage, as it allowed us to discuss matters in person and make decisions quickly. This was particularly important for this project because the technology can only be tested during specific cycles and within limited time windows. Despite the tight schedule, we worked together to develop a very good, customized solution within a short period of time.”

With this solution, fertilizer reaches exactly where it can deliver the greatest benefit. In this way, precision in the field truly bears fruit.

www.metallux.de

British Safety Council has announced details of its Annual Conference 2026, which this year will examine risks that are often overlooked or underestimated but can have profound consequences for workers' health and wellbeing.

Building on British Safety Council's recently launched Hidden Hazards campaign, the event will focus on practical solutions, policy discussions and real-world examples designed to help organisations identify, manage and prevent long-term occupational health risks.

Called 'Hidden Hazards – From Awareness to Action', the conference will be a free virtual event and take place over two half days on 20 and 21 October. It will bring together health, safety and wellbeing professionals, industry leaders and subject matter experts to explore some of the most significant hidden hazards affecting today's workplaces.

Commenting ahead of the event, Paul Fakley, Marketing and Engagement Director at British Safety Council, who will be chairing the conference, said:

"British Safety Council believes that no one should be injured or made ill through their work. Many of the most serious workplace health risks are not immediately visible, yet they have the potential to cause life-changing harm. Through our Annual Conference this year we aim to bring these hidden hazards into sharper focus and equip organisations with the knowledge, tools and practical solutions needed to protect their people.

"By bringing together leading experts, employers and practitioners at our Annual Conference, we hope to inspire action that creates safer, healthier and more sustainable workplaces for everyone."

The programme includes panel discussions, presentations, case studies and expert sessions on critical workplace issues such as concern around exposure to respirable crystalline silica and the rise of silicosis linked to engineered stone, the realities of indoor and outdoor air quality, the long-term impacts of asbestos exposure, and the increasing importance of addressing workplace stressors, violence and aggression towards employees.

Day one will seek to explore the hidden hazards and raise awareness about them. Day two will focus on policy, leadership and organisational responses required to tackle them effectively. Delegates will hear from experts about the role of technology, leadership and data in driving meaningful change, and learn from organisations that have successfully implemented initiatives to protect worker health and wellbeing.

The conference will feature a keynote address by Prof. Neil Greenberg, President of the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), as well as expert contributions from Sarah Sleet, CEO of Asthma and Lung UK, Kevin Bampton, Chief Executive Officer of British Occupational Hygiene Society, Graham Petersen from the Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN), Livi Elsmore, Senior Campaign Manager at the Healthy Air Coalition, Charles Pickles, Founder of Airtight on Asbestos Campaign, John Pares, Chair of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), Emily Agyeman, National Federation of Builders and Aurélie Faugier from the Global Cooksafe Coalition, among others.

The event will also include lived experience of living with the consequences of exposure to some hidden hazards, as well as best practise examples of initiatives to tackle and prevent them.

To view the full agenda and register for a free place, visit: https://www.britsafe.org/awards-and-events/conferences/annual-conference-2026

In hazardous area safety, attention naturally focuses on production equipment, fixed machinery and systems processes. But what about the equipment being used to clean and maintain these environments?

Good housekeeping is crucial when managing combustible dust and other hazardous substances. Even with effective extraction at source, dust can escape and settle on machinery, pipework, floors, ledges, lighting and other difficult to reach areas. Solid and liquid spills can also occur during production, material handling and maintenance operations; how that material is removed is vitally important.

Brian Folland, Product Manager for UK manufactured Kerstar industrial vacuum cleaners, elaborates, “As the HSE has highlighted, sweeping or using compressed air can disrupt settled dust and redistribute it into the atmosphere, causing a hazard to health.

“Using an appropriately certified industrial vacuum cleaner in hazardous areas provides a controlled method of dust collection and choosing the right equipment is essential. An ATEX certified vacuum is not automatically suitable for every hazardous environment - equipment must be appropriate for the zone it will operate in and the material being collected.

“For combustible dust this includes Dust Zones 21 & 22, while Gas Zones 1 & 2 apply to atmospheres where potentially explosive gas or vapour are present. The potential ignition sources, frequency of use and characteristics of the dust that needs removing should all be considered when specifying cleaning equipment.

“Static electricity in the atmosphere is another important consideration. Conductive construction, suitable accessories and effective earthing can help provide a controlled path for electrical charges.

“For engineers and operators, the main questions they should be asking when selecting suitable cleaning equipment are simple: What am I collecting? Where am I collecting it? If it’s potentially explosive, what ATEX zone will the equipment be used in?

Kerstar, now part of Filtermist Limited, manufactures and supplies a wide range of industrial vacuum cleaners in the UK. Its product portfolio includes ATEX rated vacuums suitable for use in Dust Zones 21 & 22 available as electric or compressed air powered models.

If you need help selecting the best industrial vacuum cleaner for your specific requirement, take a look at www.kerstar.com or contact the Kerstar team by calling 01952 290500.

JCE has entered a new strategic partnership with TUFF Offshore Energy & Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd., marking an important step in the company’s international growth. The alliance brings together JCE's hazardous area products, systems and engineering expertise with TUFF's regional presence, expanding access across India and South Asia, a region with significant activity across oil and gas, energy, petrochemical and wider industrial markets.

Bringing JCE Expertise Closer to Customers

Customers across the region will gain greater access to JCE's portfolio of Ex certified components, electrical control systems, distribution boards, junction boxes, motor control systems and solar/wind installations, backed by TUFF's local market knowledge and engineering capabilities. TUFF will undertake defined mechanical system integration activities for JCE products within the region, while certified Ex assembly remains controlled by JCE.

The partnership also allows JCE to support TUFF with technical expertise, engineering projects, customised facilities, product training and regional enquiries.

A Strategic Partnership for India and South Asia

TUFF brings established experience in the energy and engineering sectors, giving JCE a strong platform to grow its presence across India and South Asia.

Together, the companies combine JCE's specialist knowledge of explosion protection and Ex certified electrical systems with TUFF's regional expertise and customer relationships, supporting customers from initial equipment selection through to delivery and integration.

Martin Craig, Managing Director of JCE, said:

“Forming a strategic alliance with TUFF is an exciting milestone for JCE. We see significant opportunities across the region and look forward to working together to develop long-term customer relationships and deliver high quality Ex equipment and engineered solutions.”

Ramesh Paulraj, Managing Director of TUFF Offshore Energy & Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd., said:

“We are delighted to be entering into this partnership with JCE. It brings together complementary engineering expertise and gives us an excellent opportunity to expand access to JCE's solutions across the region.”

www.jcegroup.com

The global explosion protection industry is entering a new stage of technological development. For decades, safety has relied mainly on proven passive protection methods, such as flameproof enclosures, known as Ex d, and increased safety, known as Ex e. These methods remain essential, but modern industrial environments are becoming more digital, automated, and complex.

Smart equipment, advanced control systems, and dynamic production processes create risks that may change during operation. In some applications, passive barriers alone are no longer sufficient to achieve the required level of protection. This is where IEC 60079-42 becomes strategically important.

The final draft of IEC 60079-42, formerly known as IEC TS 60079-42:2019, introduces a new type of protection: “f”, or Electrical Safety Devices. This represents an important shift in explosion protection philosophy, moving from purely structural protection toward active, function-based safety.

A New Approach to Explosion Protection

The “f” type of protection introduces a functional safety approach to ignition source control. Instead of relying only on physical barriers, it allows safety devices to monitor equipment, detect dangerous conditions, and bring the system into a safe state before an ignition source becomes effective.

In this concept, the equipment under control, referred to as ExEUC, and the safety device operate together as an integrated safety system. This provides a more intelligent and responsive method of explosion protection, especially for complex electrical and electronic equipment used in hazardous areas.

How the “f” Type of Protection Works

The main purpose of an “f” protection system is to identify a developing ignition risk at an early stage and prevent it from becoming hazardous.

This function may be performed by sensors, logic solvers, programmable controllers, or other electronic safety systems. For example, a temperature sensor may detect abnormal heating, while a controller may process the signal and initiate shutdown or another predefined safe action.

This makes the “f” type of protection especially relevant for modern industrial equipment, where risks are often dynamic, process-dependent, and closely connected to automation systems.

Technical Flexibility and Functional Safety

One of the strengths of IEC 60079-42 is its flexibility. The standard distinguishes between simple safety devices, such as temperature sensors, and more complex devices based on programmable electronics.

It also creates a methodological link with functional safety standards such as IEC 61508 and IEC 61511. A key element is Ignition Hazard Assessment, or IHA. During this assessment, residual ignition sources are identified and evaluated, and the required Risk Reduction Factor, or RRF, is determined for each remaining risk. This ensures that the safety function is based on a structured risk reduction process.

Scope of Application

IEC 60079-42 focuses on active ignition source management through electrical safety devices. It does not apply to gas detection systems, fire suppression or explosion mitigation systems, mechanical safety devices, ventilation systems, or inerting systems.

This clear scope positions the “f” type of protection as a dedicated method for controlling ignition risks, not as a universal replacement for other explosion protection techniques.

Conclusion

IEC 60079-42 does not replace existing IEC 60079 standards. Instead, it complements them by introducing a recognized framework for active electronic safety functions.

The new “f” type of protection gives Ex-equipment manufacturers and industrial safety engineers greater design flexibility. It helps achieve the required Equipment Protection Levels, or EPL, where traditional passive methods may be insufficient.

In practical terms, IEC 60079-42 brings explosion protection closer to modern industrial automation. It supports safer, smarter, and more adaptable equipment for hazardous areas and represents a logical step toward a new generation of intelligent and reliable explosion protection systems.

www.danem-test.com

The level of demand is high for Hart’s Typhoon roller shutter doors brand, where it is being used in exposed areas as diverse as on the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. In Hong Kong, the Typhoon is on Data Centre high rise buildings and the airport.

With a high - performance specification, Hart designed and tested, verified by third party, a roller shutter at much higher levels of wind resistance than the classic maximum BSEN12424:2000 class 5.

We tested an 8M wide door to 5000 pascals and therefor claim 4000 pascals plus 25% safety factor. For comparison class 5 requires 1250 pascals which includes 25% safety factor says Nick Hart, Hart’s M.D.

Using wind speed is only an indicator, says Mr Hart, and does not reliably indicate what will happen in the real world. The force transmitted at a given wind velocity is not a reliable measure of the resultant pressure upon a door and of how it will affect the door as the density of air varies, the topography, height above sea level and adjacent structures can all hugely vary the force applied to a given door.

Additional benefits can be using stainless steel in saline conditions and the door can have security rating up to SR3, at the moment.

Mr Hart adds: “Areas where the Typhoon is the perfect solution includes restriction access, assisting with insurance compliance and in general reducing crime risk. With over 75 years of experience in industrial roller shutter doors, we have used our extensive engineering knowledge to design the Typhoon storm shutter. In summary the Typhoon is strong and long-lasting.

Hart Door Systems high-performance Typhoon storm shutters, designed and manufactured in the UK, are a wind-resistant, robust, electrically-operated roller shutter. This industrial roller shutter is perfect for high security in areas exposed to extreme winds from tropical storms such as Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones.

This high security storm shutter is designed to comply with the current British and EEC safety regulations. Optional specification levels can be varied to meet any special operational requirements.

www hart doors.com

The Tab-IND series complements the Pepperl+Fuchs enterprise mobility portfolio with rugged industrial tablet solutions for intralogistics, the manufacturing and automotive industries, and field applications.

Pepperl+Fuchs, specialist for enterprise mobility solutions for industrial hazardous and non-hazardous areas, is introducing its new Tab-IND series of tablets with 8 and 10-inch displays for industrial use, leveraging its expertise in hazardous areas requirements. The rugged devices are protected against dust and spray water according to IP65.

The Tab-IND series is designed for applications in industrial environments where mobile devices are subjected to harsh conditions and where a long service life and flexible customization options are required – such as in intralogistics, manufacturing, or the automotive industry. The Tab-IND’s extensive range of accessories and available interfaces allow the tablet to be customized for specific application needs.

The tablets ship with Windows 11 or Android 15 (10-inch model only), but are also available with a ThinClient. Bright displays with up to 700 cd/m², stylus and glove support, and an operating temperature range of -20 °C to +50 °C enable use in harsh industrial and outdoor environments. All variants feature a 13-megapixel main camera. The Windows models are additionally equipped with a 13-megapixel front camera, while the Android version features a 5-megapixel front camera.

Connectivity is ensured by the latest mobile and communication standards such as Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 BLE, 5G, or LTE. A front-facing NFC module supports, among other things, access and identity controls for restricted areas. In addition, Push-to-Talk over Cellular enables fast and easy voice communication for groups over cellular networks, while a freely programmable button and a fingerprint sensor ensure flexible use and secure authentication.

With a quad-core processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 256 GB of internal storage, the tablets are ideally equipped for modern augmented reality and extended reality applications. The removable battery with a capacity of 37.2 Wh provides up to 14 hours of runtime. Weighing just over 500 grams (8-inch) or just over 800 grams (10-inch), the tablets are also slim and lightweight.

SmartBacks expand the range of functions

To expand the Tab-IND series, Pepperl+Fuchs offers various SmartBacks. These are attached to the back of the tablets and expand the range of functions depending on the application. Additional batteries to extend runtime or special mounts can also be added as SmartBacks to the back of the device. Custom extensions based on SmartBack technology are also possible, such as for communication interfaces like Industrial Ethernet or IO-Link.

Among other things, a scanner frame is available for barcode scanning, for tracking shipments, or for picking materials or goods to support efficient intra- and transport logistics processes.

Additional accessory solutions are available, such as vehicle mounts, anti-theft devices, rugged frames for increased durability, charging stations with multiple charging bays, or a mount/single bay. The devices are charged via durable contacts on the underside, which are particularly long-lasting. An IO dock for use with external devices and displays is also available, making the tablet an alternative to a stationary office PC.

Kiosk terminals for industrial environments

As additional variants, Pepperl+Fuchs offers two kiosk terminals in 15-inch and 22-inch display sizes. They are suitable, for example, for access control, as information displays, or for digital workflow interactions. Both sizes are equipped with Android 15, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of internal storage, and a front-facing NFC module. The 22-inch terminal features a 13-megapixel front camera, while an optional 5-megapixel front camera is available for the 15-inch terminal.

European development and local expertise

The new devices complement the existing ultra-ruggedized portfolio of tablets from the Tab-Ex® series and smartphones from the Smart-Ex® series for hazardous areas. Development and design incorporated Pepperl+Fuchs’ expertise as a global market leader and trusted advisor for the most demanding solutions and applications in hazardous areas, leveraging global supply chains.

Pepperl+Fuchs places special emphasis on European development and design to address the specific challenges faced by industrial companies. This means that companies can not only choose between different display sizes but also expect long-term device availability (at least five years) and software updates.

True to the motto “Global but Local,” Pepperl+Fuchs, as a family-owned German company, offers its customers comprehensive service through its local branches in the respective local language. Especially for companies that use tablets in both hazardous areas and simply harsh environments, it is advantageous to be able to source all devices from a single provider.

A strong partner for every task

With Pepperl+Fuchs, customers benefit from a comprehensive portfolio and years of experience, not just in hazardous areas. Mobile devices, HMI solutions, and a wide range of process-oriented devices and sensors come together perfectly to form a broad offering for any automation and digitalization requirements. Mobile workers can integrate additional solution packages from a single source, such as Pepperl+Fuchs data collection, measurement, and monitoring devices, headsets, or Auto-ID.

https://www.pepperl-fuchs.com/

Hutchinson Transport has secured an additional UK distribution contract with Univar Solutions after its performance on an existing agreement gave the chemical distributor confidence to place further work with the family-owned operator.

The new contract will see Hutchinson transport solvents from Univar’s Cadishead facility to customers across the UK.

It builds on an established relationship under which Hutchinson already provides nationwide distribution for a range of Univar speciality chemical products.

The additional award expands Hutchinson’s role with Univar into UK solvent distribution and provides further evidence of its ability to support chemical manufacturers and distributors that require responsive planning, consistent communication and firm operational control.

Mark Woodworth, Transport Director at Univar Solutions, said:

“Hutchinson has consistently delivered the level of service we need from a specialist transport partner.

“The team is responsive, keeps us informed and takes ownership when requirements change or challenges arise. That gives us confidence that issues will be dealt with quickly and with minimal disruption to our customers.

“Its performance under the existing contract was a key factor in our decision to award this additional work, and we look forward to continuing to develop the relationship.”

Rhys Hutchinson, Managing Director of Hutchinson Transport, said:

“There is no stronger endorsement than a customer seeing how you perform and then trusting you with more of its business.

“Our relationship with Univar has been built through the day-to-day service delivered by our drivers, planners and operational team. We keep customers informed, respond quickly and take responsibility for the transport work entrusted to us.

“Nathan and I remain closely involved in the business, which means customers can get decisions quickly and know that the commitments made to them are backed directly by the owners of the business.”

Hutchinson Transport | Bulk Transport & Commercial Vehicle Workshops