EU Sets 2027 Deadline for Free Family Seating on Flights, While German Workplace Safety Gets Robot Dogs and New Training Rules
16.06.2026 - 02:31:28 | boerse-global.de
A four-legged robot developed at Graz University of Technology is set to become the latest tool for German fire brigades operating in hazardous environments. The autonomous system measures concentrations of toxic substances and streams live video from danger zones, allowing crews to assess risks before entering. Following successful field tests, the project partners—including the state fire service associations of Styria and Upper Austria—recommend integrating such robots into specialised units.
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The push for technological assistance comes as safety training undergoes a broader overhaul. The Initiative Gesundheit und Arbeit (iga) has released a free, three-module web-based programme on addiction prevention. Designed for both managers and employees, it covers fundamentals, workplace strategies, and concrete ways to handle substance-use disorders. The goal is to equip people to spot early warning signs.
In California, Cal FIRE completed upgrades in mid-June to a major training centre, installing automated media technology in auditoriums and classrooms to make drills more efficient. Closer to home, the Osterburken-Schlierstadt fire department plans to break ground on a new vehicle hall in spring 2027.
Airlines must drop extra fees for families
European aviation rules are also changing. The European Parliament and member states agreed on Monday that airlines will no longer be allowed to charge extra when families with children under 14 request adjacent seats. The new standard must be implemented by summer 2027. At the same time, carriers will be required to provide information about compensation rights within 96 hours of a disruption—previously there was no binding deadline.
The urgency of well-trained crews was highlighted on 13 June during a flight from Zurich to Ibiza. Shortly after landing, a small child collapsed on board. Flight attendants and passengers successfully resuscitated the child. The emotional toll was such that the return flight was postponed to the following day—a reminder of the growing need for psychological aftercare following emergencies.
Legal deadlines and new compliance burdens
Employers face strict legal obligations to avoid liability. The DGUV V3 safety inspection for electrical equipment must be carried out at least once a year. For fire safety officers, the rules under vfdb, DGUV and VdS require at least 16 training units within three years. The DEKRA Academy plans to offer corresponding courses in Leverkusen in mid-November 2026, limiting group sizes to ensure intensive instruction.
A new layer of regulatory pressure is emerging from the NIS2 directive. An information event on 29 July in Weiherhammer will focus on transposition into German law, expanded reporting duties, and personal liability of management for risk management failures.
