When data becomes protection: MSA Safety strengthens real-time insight
Iain Hoey
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Anthony Bafile, Global Senior Product Line Manager at MSA Safety, details how the ALTAIR io 6 debut at A+A Düsseldorf supports confined space safety under European frameworks
The A+A Düsseldorf trade fair and Congress remains one of the most important international stages for occupational safety, health and workplace culture.
Every two years, it brings together global experts, manufacturers and decision-makers to explore how technology, policy and best practices can shape safer working environments.
The 2025 edition is expected to highlight digitalisation, smart PPE, data-driven prevention and the role of connected solutions in reducing risk across sectors ranging from construction to manufacturing.
For MSA Safety, A+A is an opportunity to demonstrate how innovation in design and technology can translate into meaningful improvements in worker protection.
From intelligent respiratory and head protection systems to integrated software platforms that connect personnel, supervisors and command centres, MSA’s portfolio reflects a growing shift towards information-enabled safety.
The company’s participation at A+A will also highlight its continued collaboration with regional partners and its commitment to meeting diverse regulatory and operational needs across Europe and beyond.
In this interview, MSA Safety Global Senior Product Line Manager Antony Bafile discusses what the company is bringing to A+A Düsseldorf, how its connected detection solutions support the future of occupational safety and what wider lessons can be drawn from the evolution of connected PPE and digital safety systems.
Could you introduce yourself, your role and how MSA Safety’s work connects with the core themes of A+A Düsseldorf?
I’m Anthony Bafile, Global Senior Product Line Manager for MSA Safety portable detection devices.
I’ve been managing the portables line at MSA for 8 years.
I’ve spent my entire career in Product Development and Management in gas detection and prior to MSA, on sleep and respiratory medical devices.
We’re a mission driven company focused on helping to keep people safe at work.
With A+A’s core themes of safety, efficiency, and health, those all align into our mission.
With our extensive portfolio of safety hardware and software solutions, we have the expertise to help customers work toward better safety outcomes.
What technologies or product lines will MSA Safety be showcasing at A+A?
Our newest portable detection device, the ALTAIR io™ 6 Multigas Detector, will be making its European debut at the show.
As the newest addition to the MSA Connected Work Platform, this six-gas detector is ideal for confined space monitoring and sampling applications.
It will be MSA’s first cellular-connected gas detector featuring an integrated pump; features MSA’s XCell® sensors; has a large, highly visible screen; a removable, rechargeable external battery; and is small enough for handheld use or to wear.
Along with the ALTAIR io 6, we’ll be featuring our Connected Work Platform, which includes the ALTAIR io™ 4 Wearable Gas Detector and the MSA Grid software.
Additionally, we will be featuring our industry-leading head protection solutions, including the V-Gard line of hard hats and helmets; our fall protection solutions, including the V-SERIES® line of harnesses, and our M1 industrial SCBA respiratory protection portfolio.
How does the ALTAIR io 6 fit into the Connected Work Platform?
It joins the ALTAIR io 4 on the Connected Work Platform.
While the ALTAIR io 4 is primarily used as a personal, continuous monitoring device, the ALTAIR io 6 is primarily designed for sampling confined spaces on job sites and detecting leaks and spills, supporting emergency responses, and is even small enough to wear as a personal monitor.
The devices share similar technologies, with both detectors having the same user interface and using MSA Grid software.
This makes it easy for safety managers to integrate both devices and connect them into their fleet of gas monitors.
When combined, this can create a powerful Connected Work experience to enhance safety management on worksites.
MSA Grid provides information about device location and alerts in real-time, while also providing immediate access to data from a single device or fleet of devices.
The devices are complementary, so you don’t need to have an ALTAIR io 4 to have an ALTAIR io 6 and vice versa.
How does MSA Safety define the concept of connected PPE and what benefits does it bring to users in the field?
We look at connected PPE as solutions that can be relied on to provide data and insights to help improve worker and worksite safety.
This can include facilitating adequate maintenance programs, keeping inspections and records up-to-date, and identifying issues before they pose a risk to workplace safety.
For workers in the field, it can be about having the ability to take action when seconds count.
With connected devices, like wearable gas detectors, for a worker to be able to alert a crew on a worksite, or alert a safety supervisor onsite or offsite, to a potential danger within seconds, that’s a huge benefit.
We see it as a way to empower organizations to leverage connected technology to help keep their workers and worksites safe.
What technical or operational challenges does MSA Safety hear about when embedding connectivity within protective equipment and safety programs?
We’re happy to see that in today’s market, more and more companies are leveraging data to drive safety and operational decisions.
But, there are those still trying to figure out how to implement and make a connected safety program work for them.
That’s why we believe it’s important to meet customers where they are, whether it’s introducing a few connected devices and showing how the data can be impactful for their worksite or bringing in an entire fleet of connected devices and start generating reports from day one.
Otherwise, we hear a lot about the difficulty of accessing data easily in real time, especially with pumped gas detection.
That is why the ALTAIR io 6 will hold a unique place in the detection market.
By being a robust gas detector and having an integrated pump, and automatic cellular connectivity and integration with MSA Grid software all in one handheld device, it can ultimately help to address the real-time data challenge customers are facing.
How does MSA Safety balance the complexity of connected features with the need for reliability and ease of use in demanding environments?
We see connectivity as transforming hardware from traditional PPE to a technology-based, future-forward safety solution.
For connected devices to have the impact and to provide the protection workers are expecting, the network is an important component to the device.
The most advanced wearables feature built-in cellular connectivity and deploy right out of the box in seconds, which is what happens with the ALTAIR io 4 and will happen with the ALTAIR io 6.
There is no waiting, and no IT required, making for a better ease of use experience.
For years, we’ve taken pride in setting the standard for ruggedness and durability with our portable detectors.
These devices can go into some of the harshest environments, and that’s why our engineers test our instruments to the extremes.
From cold environments, hot environments, humidity, dropping from heights, tumble tests, spraying and splashing, they go through all the rigorous tests that every MSA portable gas detector goes through.
Which sectors are driving the strongest demand for connected PPE and how is MSA Safety adapting to those specific needs?
The strongest demand is coming across the construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and utilities markets, but we are seeing an increase in demand within the fire service.
Regardless of the industry, we know the demand is there for connected solutions, especially for devices that help with accountability and are easy to service.
MSA devices utilise MSA ID tags for digital device assignment, and using these help safety managers, operations managers or incident commanders know who is using what devices, and where they are located.
The ALTAIR io 4 users have been using ID tags for the past few years, and now with the same ability coming with the ALTAIR io 6 and their ability to automatically upload data to the Grid in real time, getting readings from a pumped detector in real-time will help with visibility and accountability.
Plus, a feature that customers like is being able to see what detectors need maintenance.
From an overdue bump test to sensor replacements, being able to identify maintenance issues in real time can help keep crews working with proper equipment which is great for safety and productivity.
Is MSA Safety applying data analytics, AI or cloud-based systems to improve incident insight and predictive safety outcomes?
We are exploring ways to continue to enhance our safety solutions and thoughtfully looking at how AI can make a positive impact on worker safety.
We’re exploring ways to run AI programs to analyse the data in MSA Grid and provide more information on safety habits and behaviours, to help safety managers understand how devices are being used or develop training protocols.